Australia’s defence innovation, science and technology ecosystem has been strengthened today with the announcement that the Northern Territory (NT) headquartered Charles Darwin University (CDU) has joined the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA).
The expansion of QDSA into the NT will see the Alliance remain at the forefront of critical Australian defence research capabilities. QDSA already has key strength in areas including trusted autonomy, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and space. CDU will bring complementary advantages in fields particularly relevant to Northern Australia such as tropical health, remote area drone operations and advanced manufacturing, and cyber security.
The introduction of CDU to the Alliance will ignite stronger collaborations across Queensland and the NT and will help continue to accelerate sovereign defence capability throughout the entire region.
Enhanced and resilient Northern bases are a key Defence priority in the 2023 Defence Strategic Review and 2024 National Defence Strategy. The Alliance ability to support these and other priorities will be strengthened by CDU’s membership, and today’s announcement reaffirms QDSA’s commitment to driving connection, collaboration and communication irrespective of geographical state borders.
Professor Steve Rogers, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Charles Darwin University said:
“We are excited to join forces with QDSA and its Queensland members to forge new opportunities for defence research and industry. It’s a logical step to join an established ADSUN node, and one that is in alignment with Defence’s strategy.”
The addition of CDU also represents a significant milestone for the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN) ecosystem.
It is the first time ADSUN will have a presence in every Australian state and territory, with the introduction of the strategically vital NT.
Mr Stuart Blackwell, QDSA Director said:
“QDSA looks forward to leveraging the science and innovation strengths across Queensland and the Northern Territory as part of ADSUN moving forward,” Mr Blackwell said.
CDU will join Queensland alliance members Griffith University, James Cook University, the University of Queensland, DSTG, and the Queensland State Government as QDSA Members, effective immediately.
For more information on QDSA please visit www.qdsa.au and subscribe to receive updates.
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