The month of June 2021 was brimming with exciting events for the Queensland Defence Science Alliance both as attendees and hosts. Plenty of new opportunities to engage with different members of the broader Defence industry here – both here in Queensland and on the national stage.
Here’s what you might have missed…
QDSA Officially Launched
One of the most notable achievements in June was the official launch of QDSA at a breakfast event held at Queensland’s Parliament House.
Attended by 90 guests from Government, industry and research institutes, QDSA shared our vision for the road ahead and heard from distinguished speakers including:
- Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs
- Professor Cara Wrigley, QDSA Director
- Retired Lieutenant General John Caligari AO, DSC, QDSA Chair
- Brigadier Mark Ascough, Commander of Australian Army’s 6th Brigade, and
- Dr David Kershaw, Chief Science Engagement and Impact Division DSTG
We published a recap with key points from the event speakers on our website here.
We started the day off with our @QDSAlliance Official Launch at QLD Parliament House💥
— Queensland Defence Science Alliance (@QDSAlliance) June 16, 2021
We look forward to helping our #QDSACommunity accelerate the advantage we have here in QLD! @COMD6BDE @DrCaraWrigley @jcaligari @meaghan_scanlon @DavidKershaw01 pic.twitter.com/Tgujf4W0et
Inaugural QDSA HDR Grants Launched
These grants are the first funding to be made available by QDSA and will provide financial assistance to seven Queensland higher degree research (HDR) students.
The grants will be open year-round, with one grant awarded per university member per calendar year.
Perhaps most exciting, successful applicants will also pitch their capability design and prototypes to Australian Defence Force representatives, another way QDSA is seeking to accelerate the advantage and create new, tangible solutions for our Defence force.
Find out more, including how to apply here.
QDSA Hosted ADSUN
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance hosted our interstate counterparts from the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN) in June.
It was the first time all five (5) state networks came together since QDSA’s inception and the first one to be hosted in Queensland. These gatherings strengthen our ties, facilitate discussions around national defence priorities and how we can work together to accelerate the advantage nationwide.
This was also an opportunity for the QDSA to share our direction and provide more information about the unique opportunities available in the Defence Industry in Queensland.
Attended Land Forces 2021
At the beginning of June, QDSA representatives attended Land Forces where we were able to engage with key industry stakeholders and introduce ourselves to others in the industry.
It was exciting to see so many key people from industry, government and defence under the one roof and involved in the exhibition.
We are out and about today for Day 1 of @LandForces_Expo 🤩#QDSA #QDSACommunity #LandForces2021 pic.twitter.com/xJgfRGNN8c
— Queensland Defence Science Alliance (@QDSAlliance) May 31, 2021
Meeting with Local Government Authorities
QDSA also met with Logan City Council during June, in what we hope is the first of many meetings with Queensland’s Local Government Authorities across the State.
As a result of this meeting, were able to spread our vision and open up more pathways to further events and opportunities. Watch this space!
Hosted EPE Site Visit
Our team, along with academia, defence personnel and industry stakeholders visited the first Military Test, Evaluation, Certification, and Systems Assurance (MILTECS) facility of its type in Australia.
It was a fantastic event where we were able to witness some of the ground-breaking work carried out by Explosive Protective Equipment (EPE) and the CSIRO to counter adversary threats.
We’re also looking forward to helping facilitate more sits visits like this one to encourage greater collaboration between Queensland organisations and research institutes into the future.
Read more about the EPE Site Visit here.
Quick Bites
- Future Technologies of War
QDSA Associate Director, Dr Jeremy Anderson, presented at Future Technologies of War Cove Conference at Enoggera on June 23.
- Attended AIDN Monthly Members Meeting
We attended the Australian Industry and Defence Network’s navy presentation on industry engagement.
QDSA Upcoming Events
Interested in finding out more about the Queensland Defence Science Alliance and upcoming opportunities and events?
Check out our News section on our website here.
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Contact our team here.
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.
