Australian university students are to have the opportunity to apply their ideas and innovative approaches to national security challenges through a new Department of Defence entrepreneurship program.
Chief of Science Engagement and Impact Division at the Department, David Kershaw said Defence had partnered with Common Mission Project to establish the D.Start Catalyst program in several universities.
Dr Kershaw said the Program would teach students how to apply innovative processes to address Defence and national security challenges.
“D.Start Catalyst will encourage student-entrepreneurs to take on some of the toughest challenges facing Defence, while changing how Defence solves problems,” Dr Kershaw said.
“D.Start Catalyst will allow us to access fresh talent within Australian universities and tap into the benefits of lean start-up methods, including world-class market research, resulting in faster delivery of Defence capabilities,” he said.
“The Program is also part of Defence’s effort to reach the STEM community and to attract the best and brightest into Defence and defence industry careers.”
Dr Kershaw said D.Start Catalyst was a key element of the Defence Research Accelerator program, aimed at creating an understanding of the Defence problem space within the Australian educational and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He said the Program built on the success of established United States and United Kingdom programs, as well as a pilot program, Hacking for National Security, conducted at the University of New South Wales earlier this year.
“The partnership with the Common Mission Project will enable Defence to draw on expertise from the US and UK programs, deliver training for university staff and Defence personnel, and coordinate the delivery of university courses to students in a variety of degree programs,” Dr Kershaw said.
