Shot in the arm for defence R&D work in SA
Key research, development, training and technology exchanges in maritime, naval architecture and shipbuilding have expanded in South Australia under three new agreements with leading European shipbuilding companies DCNS and Fincantieri.
Last week Flinders University and four of France’s leading Graduate Schools of Engineering signed a ground-breaking academic and research cooperation agreement relating to the Future Submarine Program.
The agreement between Flinders and a consortium comprised of ENSTA ParisTech, École Centrale de Nantes, CentraleSupélec and École Polytechnique was signed at a special ceremony signed at the headquarters of DCNS in Paris.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will foster joint research projects, student and staff exchanges, and a new wave of Australian-French innovation and entrepreneurial projects related to the Future Submarine Program to be centred in Adelaide, South Australia.
DCNS of France is the Australian Government’s design partner in the $50 billion Future Submarine Program and Italian company Fincantieri is bidding for Australia’s $35 billion Future Frigates (Project Sea 5000) Program. Both programs will bring new shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing work to South Australia in coming years.
Flinders Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saintsays the agreement will foster an exchange of research and technical expertise that further strengthens the University’s maritime-related programs.
“This MoU signed with our new French partner institutions recognises the high regard in which Flinders’ capability in the areas of defence and maritime research is held,” Professor Saint says.
“The agreement will enhance our defence-related endeavours and contribute to South Australia and Australia’s economic transformation.”
Flinders Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saint signs the MoU at the DCNS headquarters in Paris last week.
Building on its links to Australia’s naval capability through its Bachelor of Maritime Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture, and several research projects, Flinders has also signed a MoU with Fincantieri.
This includes a partnership supporting internships by Flinders students, commencing with International Business students Samantha Oxford and Tom Herde.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the partnership will see Flinders research expertise harnessed for practical impact.
“Our pivotal partnership with Fincantieri places Flinders University at the heart of one of Australia’s biggest defence projects, at the heart of the Defence State, and at the heart of Australia’s economic transformation.”
“This MOU reflects how Flinders University’s powerful combination of innovation and naval expertise has been recognised by one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation” Professor Stirling says.
Following the recent signing of Flinders’ research collaboration with Fincantieri, the University also signed a supporting agreement with the University of Genoa in Italy to cooperate in research and development and training.
Flinders International Business students Samantha Oxford and Tom Herde at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide before leaving for Italy this month.
The latest agreement opens the door for participation with The University of Genoa in a range of maritime and naval architecture-related projects.
The University of Genoa MoU includes opportunities for staff and student exchanges, research collaboration and the sharing of experience in using high-tech equipment.
