Nick Piggott Attends Reception for Australian Ambassador

Nick Piggott, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, attended a reception at the Executive Mansion on Sept. 3 honoring Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, Australian ambassador to the United States.

The event, hosted by Gov. Josh Stein, recognized the strong economic and academic ties between North Carolina and Australia. Rudd, who previously served twice as prime minister of Australia, praised the state’s role as a growing hub for international business and research partnerships.

“From our great agricultural and mining companies to the pharmaceuticals industry, there’s a lot of action in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and bucketloads of collaboration with Australian R&D institutions back home,” Rudd said. “North Carolina is a great place to do business.”

North Carolina’s connections with Australia continue to expand. Over the past decade, seven Australian companies have established or expanded operations in the state, creating more than 840 jobs and investing over $237 million.

Piggott was among several university faculty invited to attend the reception with Gov. Stein and Ambassador Rudd.