From meeting with Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, to site visits in the Darling Downs, and engaging with local government authorities, July was another busy month for the Queensland Defence Science Alliance.
Meeting with Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist
QDSA Director, Professor Cara Wrigley sat down with Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Monro in Canberra on July 1.
In this meeting she presented our alliance’s strategic plan and discussed potential opportunities for the QDSA.
CBRN Callout & Information session
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) invited universities, SMEs and Research Institutes from both Queensland and across the country to register their capabilities in the area of safe operation in contaminated environments.
Not only was this an opportunity to put Queensland researchers and businesses on the radar of Australia’s Defence Force, but through this process QDSA is building its own database to facilitate local collaboration opportunities.
As part of the ‘Operating in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Environments’ callout, Dr Jeremy Anderson hosted a virtual information session on July 15 with STaRShot Leader, Dr Axel Bender.
Following this, 15 submissions were received by local researchers and industry and we are looking forward to sharing where future collaboration opportunities may arise with the Defence Force in the future!
We also expect to see similar capability statement requests across the other STaRShot disciplines and will be sure to keep you posted when available.
Industry and University Site Visits in Toowoomba
Our site visit program expanded beyond South East Queensland’s metro areas into the Darling Downs after Professor Cara Wrigley toured two of Toowoomba’s world-class research facilities.
The first of those being the innovative food and fibre hub by the FKG Group. The technology precinct is unlike anything in the world and brings together complementary businesses and operations such as food production, energy generation, food manufacturing and logistics to drive innovation in a circular economy.
Cara’s second visit in the region was to the University of Southern Queensland’s Hypersonics Facility where she was joined by Alex Wall from DesignWorks.
You may recall DesignWorks were part of the groundbreaking workshop QDSA hosted back in April. Stay tuned for a project update coming soon!
In addition, during the month of July QDSA also visited the Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology (AIBN) & Boeing Research and Technology to assist in helping Queensland’s Universities make connections through information sessions and then pitching the capability into defence.
AIDN July Monthly Members Meeting
On July 15, Professor Cara Wrigley presented at the Australian Industry Defence Network’s (AIDN) July monthly Members Meeting on the Gold Coast.
The focus of the evening was ‘Engaging with the University Sector’ and here we were able to share the QDSA’S goals and discuss upcoming opportunities with the Defence Industry in Queensland.
Our very own @DrCaraWrigley presenting on QDSA and engaging with the University sector at the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN) QLD July Monthly Member’s Meeting down at the Gold Coast earlier tonight. #QDSA #QDSACommunity #QueenslandDefence #QueenslandDefenceIndustry pic.twitter.com/3QntfYviuk
— Queensland Defence Science Alliance (@QDSAlliance) July 15, 2021
Business of Defence Luncheon
Our Director, Professor Cara Wrigley, was honoured to present a thank you speech to The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO at the AMCHAM ‘The Business of Defence Luncheon’.
At this event, attendees shared their unique perspective on the future of national security, the path ahead for Australian and US collaborations, and the important part the Defence industry plays in the national economy.
Last week at @AmChamAU’s event ‘The Business of Defence Luncheon’. Our Director @DrCaraWrigley presented the thankyou speech to Dr Brendan Nelson AO. #QDSA #QDSACommunity #QueenslandDefence pic.twitter.com/SEjNnvdSzt
— Queensland Defence Science Alliance (@QDSAlliance) July 29, 2021
Local Government Connections
Introduction to Defence Marketplace Presentation
In the middle of the month, we joined numerous south-east Queensland businesses for the Logan City Council’s ‘Introduction in Defence Marketplace’ showcase.
The event aimed to offer an overview into the defence marketplace and how projects are procured by the Australian Defence Force. Here, QDSA Associate Director, Dr Jeremy Anderson, made a presentation to the attendees about the role of the QDSA and our opportunities to facilitate and strengthen connections and collaborations with a particular focus on the Defence STaR Shots.
Thanks to @logancc for an awesome morning yesterday! Great to see so many local businesses getting involved 🤩 #QDSA #QDSACommunity #QueenslandDefenceIndustry https://t.co/tyNTDnsVE8
— Queensland Defence Science Alliance (@QDSAlliance) July 16, 2021
QDSA Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Want to find out more about the QDSA’s upcoming events and opportunities?
Check out our News section on our website here or subscribe to our e-newsletter here.
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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.