CDU Professor Steve Rogers says Defence comprises nearly 10 per cent of the Northern Territory economy, and Australia’s north in general has been recognised by the Federal Government as being “strategically vital”. Photo: CDU.
The Northern Territory’s premier higher education facility, Charles Darwin University (CDU), has become a member of the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) in their collective research effort to resolve defence problems.
With backing from the NT Government, the CDU is now directly involved with the broader Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN).
Run by the Department of Defence, ADSUN connects the government with researchers from universities, industry and the broader research community. It has five facilities throughout the country, which comprise:
- Defence Science Institute (Victoria and Tasmania)
- Defence Innovation Partnership (South Australia)
- Defence Innovation Network (NSW)
- Defence Science Centre (Western Australia)
- Queensland Defence Science Alliance (Queensland).
The involvement of the CDU makes ADSUN a national network with member universities in every state and territory.
Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling OAM MP said ADSUN’s expansion into the NT was a “win-win” for the Australian Defence Force, defence industry and university research sector.
“CDU has a history of support for defence; including for training, health services and advanced research and development,” said Mr Gosling.
“As the Territory’s university, I have no doubt CDU will enrich this important national research network through our expertise on tropical health, remote area drone operations, advanced manufacturing and cyber security.”
Each of the ADUSUN state-based networks are independent bodies charged with promoting and growing Defence engagement in their respective regions. While they don’t undertake research themselves, they do facilitate research across the university, government and industry sectors.
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has a senior Defence scientist and an Associate Director embedded in each of these nodes, the latter of whom is tasked with promoting co-operation and teaming across the networks from a national perspective.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation Professor Steve Rogers said the CDU was excited to join forces with QDSU and it was a “logical step” for ADSUN to have representation Australia-wide.
“Through joining QDSA, CDU will help open opportunities for the university and the wider local economy while also supporting our national security,” he said.
“When universities collaborate, it brings the best minds together to help solve problems and advance local industry.”
