Here we are in a brand-new year, and we have started off with a bang! This month’s recap will cover December 2021 and January 2022 because, amidst all the activity, we did manage to get a small break in over Christmas. We are very grateful for that because 2022 is shaping up to be a huge year for the QDSA team!
Innovation Hubs Roundtable
Early December provided an exciting opportunity for Dr Jeremy Anderson to attend his first Innovation Hubs Roundtable. This virtual event provides a platform to build connections and examine potential collaborations across the various hubs and nodes in Queensland.
The event was attended by representatives from Agtech and Logistics Hub, XR Hub, Qld Robotics Cluster, AI Hub, ARM Hub, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Department of Environment and Science and AustCyber.
QDSA looks forward to continued growth in this area and the benefits to the industry that these collaborations will offer.
QDSA North Queensland Showcase
The North Queensland Showcase from 7th-10th December 2021, was completed as a four-day tour across the region. The program was jampacked and provided a tremendous opportunity for university, industry and defence to showcase their capability.
JCU Defence Collaboration Coordinator, David Lynch (James Cook University) put in a mammoth effort to plan and co-ordinate the event and with attendees from all over the state, this was a triumph in logistics.
The QDSA cohort in attendance included representatives from:
- University of Queensland
- University of Southern Queensland
- Central Queensland University
- Queensland University of Technology
- Griffith University
- TAS DCRC
- BitsCore
- Sensaweb
- ARM Hub
- AI Hub
- ODIS
- DIH
- DES
Visit the North Queensland Tour blog post for a full wrap up of this key 2021 event.
Griffith University Gold Coast Site Visit
Having returned from our North Queensland Tour only a few days earlier, the QDSA team were invited to visit the Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University. This visit formed the second part of our Griffith University capability discover tour and provided great insight into the innovative projects that are underway at the University.
The very busy agenda saw us attending 10 separate presentations throughout the day, concluding with a roundtable discussion with attendees.
Our visit saw us briefed on the ADAPT manufacturing facility, the Griffith University space program, composite materials, and industrial design projects at the site. We also visited the Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE) where we learned about biomechanical risk analysis and toured the BioSpine lab.
QDSA Christmas Networking Event
What busy year would be complete without a wrap party? On 15th December, QDSA hosted an end of year wrap up event with social drinks and Christmas Networking at the Ship Inn at Southbank. The relaxed venue and warm Queensland weather allowed us to unwind for a moment and strengthen the connections forged throughout 2021.
QDSA Safe Vehicle Interdiction Virtual Information Session
The NSSTC Safeguarding Australia Technology Challenges are a Defence initiative coordinated nationally in partnership with the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN) in each state.
There are three open challenges with funding of up to $200k available for each successful bid.
On 16th December, QDSA hosted a virtual information session on safe vehicle interdiction – the challenge that we are facilitating.
Applications for this opportunity are still open and have been extended to 13th February 2021 at 11pm. More information on the NSSTC Technology Challenges can be found here and on our Federal and State Defence Opportunities page here.
ARM Hub End of Year Networking Event
On the 17th of December the Advance Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM Hub) hosted their end of year “Jingle & Mingle” – this was a festive networking opportunity to connect in person with hub users and partners at the ARM Hub Learning Factory. QDSA were privileged to join the celebrations, and despite it being a jovial event, many fruitful connections were made.
End-Of-Year Break
Despite our growing presence, the team at QDSA was able to schedule in a well-earned break and enjoyed a stand-down period from 17th December 2021 through to 4th January 2022.
We returned in the new year, well-rested and ready to vigorously take hold of the opportunities that 2022 has to offer!
Robotics Australia Seminar
On the 17th of January, the QDSA team attended an engaging seminar hosted by Robotics Australia.
As the peak body for robotics in Australia, Robotics Australia Group (RAG) was established to facilitate the growth of a sustainable and internationally competitive national robotics industry. This valuable briefing provided updates on the Robotics Roadmap, and the Robotics Ventures Factory and announced a two-year partnership with Connected Farms.
QUT HDR Grant Recipient Progress Presentation
The 17th of January proved to be a very busy day, with the team also being witness to a progress presentation by QDSA HDR Grant Recipient David Sutton, representing QUT.
As part of his successful QDSA HDR Capability Grant requirements, David gave a mid-point progress presentation to his DST Sponsor Dr Axel Bender, QUT staff and the QDSA team.
David gave an excellent presentation and gained some valuable feedback as he moves into the second half of his three-month project. Watch this space for further updates as the project nears completion.
First 2022 Meeting for Defence Collaboration Coordinators
On the 19th of January, the Defence Collaboration Coordinators kicked off their first meeting for the year. QDSA provided a back brief (DStart Ignite, NSSTC Challenge, HDR grants, STaR Shots, Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research Summit) and we spoke about what we wanted to achieve this year in terms of communication of opportunities, engagement with ODIS, DIH and CASG, and with an aspiration to offer larger amounts of funding over longer periods.
UQ HDR Grant Recipient Initial Briefing
The third week of January provided us with another opportunity to check in with one of our 2021 successful QDSA HDR Capability Grant recipients – James Williamson representing University of Queensland whose project focuses on Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lower-limb Exoskeletons.
James offered an informative and insightful brief of his project to his DST Sponsor Dr Kurt Mudie and QDSA staff. James and his team are now well on their way to progressing their project.
Be sure to check back in 6 weeks to hear more after we have had the opportunity to monitor his progress at his mid-point presentation.
DSTG Eagle Farm Official Opening
On the 25th of January 2022, QDSA were privileged to attend the opening of the purpose-built DSTG centre at Eagle Farm. The centre aims to support the research and development of hypersonic weapons capabilities in Queensland and cost $14m to develop. It has been reported that the world-class hypersonics precinct will “supercharge” Australian defence research.
QDSA member universities, University of Queensland, and University of Southern Queensland have significant capabilities in the areas of hypersonics and their strengths will be fortified by a facility such as this.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton also attended the opening of the facility, which was established as part of the government’s $3bn defence investment programme.
More information about the official opening of the Australian Hypersonics Research Precinct can be found here.
QDSA Internal Planning Meeting
The first month of the new year concluded with a productive two days of strategy, scheduling and budgeting in preparation for their presentation at the Advisory Committee meeting to be held on 17th February.
QDSA team members Mark Witham, Tori Brown and Jeremy Anderson made sure that no stone was left unturned as they meticulously prepared their presentation. The result is that QDSA stakeholders have a very exciting year of events, connections and growth ahead.
QDSA Upcoming Events and Opportunities
QDSA has many upcoming events and opportunities, with more being added each week. Want to find out what is on the horizon? Check out our News section on our website here or subscribe to our e-newsletter here.
For real-time events and information, be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is a university-led initiative to grow and connect an agile Defence innovation ecosystem, leveraging Queensland’s strengths, to deliver trusted solutions to meet Defence requirements.
