Defence net widens with UK alliance

Partnership

The University of Adelaide will help boost skills and capability in the South Australian defence industries with a new strategic collaboration with the UK's Cranfield University.

The two universities last month signed an agreement to collaborate on the provision of courses and research in defence and security.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha and the Principal of Cranfield University's Defence College of Management and Technology, Professor Hugh Griffiths.

Cranfield University is among the UK's most research intensive universities and is a leader in defence research and postgraduate and professional education.

"Preliminary talks with Cranfield University have revealed a range of complementary strengths in research and education within the defence and security fields," Professor McWha said.

"Collaboration between the two universities promises major benefits for both organisations and for the South Australian defence industry, and will contribute significantly towards the State's defence research and training requirements.

"The University of Adelaide has considerable strengths in defence research and education, including a strategic alliance with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) with joint projects in a number of faculties. This collaboration with Cranfield University will help boost skills and capability for the local defence industry, adding to recent initiatives such as the new Master of Marine Engineering degree with ASC Pty Ltd, and the launch late last year of our Centre for Defence Communications and Information Networking."

Proposals for collaborative work include professional short courses for the defence and security industries and new postgraduate courses, including Masters degrees.

Story by Robyn Mills