University of Sydney joins new network to drive defence research
The University of Sydney is one of seven NSW universities who have founded a new network to bolster defence-related research and development activity across the state.
The NSW Government will invest $1.25 million in the new Defence Innovation Network (DIN), which will bring together leading scientists and engineers to focus on areas crucial to Australia’s defence needs.
Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair announced the NSW Defence Innovation Network on Friday and said it will build on NSW’s extensive defence industry capability and bring to life the next generation of Australian defence technology.
“This Network will act as a broker – one where it can hear the problems facing industry and find the right people in our universities to solve them,” Mr Blair said in a statement.
“It’s set to tackle challenges in fields such as autonomous and unmanned systems, signal processing, weapons and communications.
“This initiative is a bold statement to Australian and international defence firms that NSW has the necessary expertise and is a good place to invest.”
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Mary O’Kane said the formation of the DIN demonstrates the capacity of universities to be big problem solvers.
“This will provide an opportunity to tackle important and complex issues,” Professor O’Kane said in a statement.
Defence NSW Director and former senior naval officer, Commodore Peter Scott CSC RANR, said in a statement the establishment of the DIN will support innovation, commercialisation and job creation, particularly in regional communities.
University of Sydney Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Duncan Ivison said: “The University of Sydney has a strong history of working with industry partners in defence research and we see great potential in leveraging the combined power of the DIN members to provide innovative solutions to next generation technology challenges.”
“University of Sydney research is playing an important role in the development of cutting-edge technologies and innovations that have the potential to make Australia a safer place to live,” he said.
“We hope that the establishment of the DIN will bring more defence projects to the University of Sydney and our partners in NSW, and will also provide a platform for the defence industry to access a critical mass of research expertise.”
The University of Sydney is a founding member of the DIN along with the University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University and UNSW Sydney. The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) are also a partner and will play a role in ensuring that the DIN members are able access and help solve the real life challenges facing Australia’s defence forces.