Wednesday 17 December: The Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson, UK Education Secretary, and the Hon. Jason Clare, Australian Education Minister, visited UNSW Sydney today to witness the signing of a landmark UK-Australia university pact. The Advanced Skills Alliance sees eight leading universities join forces to fast-track the skills and research needed to build security, defence and resilience capabilities as part of the UK-Australia Geelong Treaty and to support delivery of the AUKUS innovation program.
Alliance members include:
- UNSW Sydney (Australia)
- Curtin University (Australia)
- Adelaide University (Australia)
- Cranfield University (UK)
- King’s College London (UK)
- Imperial College London (UK)
- University of Southampton (UK)
- University of Strathclyde (UK)
The UK’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson welcomed the signing of the pact.
“Education and innovation are the backbone of the AUKUS partnership, and the UK and Australia are home to incredible universities driving cutting-edge research,” she said.
“By joining forces, our countries are investing in our future security, technology and above all people – opening up opportunity for students, boosting industry, and building a stronger workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.” The new Alliance will support both the Australian and UK governments’ plans to develop a highly skilled workforce to support the full range of innovation under the AUKUS Agreement.
Jason Clare, Australia’s Federal Education Minister, said education was crucial to the AUKUS agreement.
“AUKUS is not just about submarines, it's about people,” said Australia’s Education Minister, the Hon. Jason Clare. “Having universities work together, PhD students working together, is what this is all about. “In addition, having key businesses in our two countries work together is in the interests of both our nations for the decades ahead.”
One key initiative is the creation of a joint UK-Australia Centre for Doctoral Training focusing on security, defence and resilience. PhD students will undertake research in areas such as nuclear engineering and safety, systems design and cybersecurity. A major innovation will see students spending up to 12 months in the partner country, sharing expertise and building lasting ties between the nations’ education, defence and security sectors.
The Alliance will also collaborate on education and training for the broader workforce, including specialised short courses, micro-credentials and new curriculum design to meet the needs of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration (Geelong) Treaty and the AUKUS Agreement. It is intended to expand the agreement to colleges in both countries in the future, including TAFE in Australia.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our universities to lead in high-impact innovation,” said UNSW Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs.
“The Alliance not only unites world-class research institutions. It strengthens the training pipeline that will produce the highly skilled experts of the future. Our postdoctoral researchers will go on to found new companies, create jobs and build the innovation, security and resilience our nations depend on.”
A defining feature of the new agreement is the unprecedented industry involvement. The MoU was drafted by the partner universities in consultation with the Australian and UK governments. It also involved extensive engagement with UK and Australian defence contractors, multinational firms and scale-up businesses with deep expertise in priority areas aligned with the AUKUS requirements. The Alliance will seek funding from the UK and Australian governments and industry partners to support the delivery of its objectives.
Quotes from Alliance signatories
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) of Adelaide University, Professor Jessica Gallagher:
“The Advanced Skills Alliance is an important step forward for both nations. By uniting leading universities across Australia and the UK, we’re creating a shared pipeline of talent and research that will help build our security, defence, and resilience for decades to come.
“In bringing together our collective strengths – from nuclear engineering to systems design and cybersecurity – we will create powerful and long-lasting partnerships.
“For the new Adelaide University, this is also a wonderful opportunity to equip our students, research and industry partners with the advanced skills needed to support the AUKUS project.”
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Melinda Fitzgerald:
“This strategic partnership facilitates world-class universities working with industry leaders and the Australian and UK governments, to contribute cutting-edge research innovation while developing critical and emerging skills in the sector.”
Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University:
“Strengthening international co-operation is a key part of delivering the skills, growth and innovation that keep us secure and resilient as global threats increase. We’re delighted to bring our trusted expertise, specialist facilities and renowned industry knowledge in defence and security to this partnership and look forward to building the skills and research needed for sovereign capabilities both in the UK and in Australia.”
Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President of Imperial College London:
"This alliance brings together world-class expertise from UK and Australian universities to fast-track the advanced skills, research and innovation that underpin the AUKUS partnership.
Through the establishment of an international Centre for Doctoral Training, we will develop the next generation of talent in pursuit of shared sovereign strategic priorities for a safer and more resilient future.
Imperial is delighted to participate in this opportunity to build upon our strong partnerships with Australian universities."
Professor Mark Spearing, Vice-President of Research and Enterprise at the University of Southampton:
“We are proud to stand as a key partner in the new Advanced Skills Alliance.
“As a top-100 world university, we will bring the research and educational excellence of a leading UK Russell Group institution to directly support the sovereign security and defence capability in both nations. This partnership is an opportunity to apply our world-leading reputation of developing the next generation of highly skilled doctoral talent to drive innovation and protect the AUKUS Agreement for years to come."
Media Contacts:
Louise Templeton, [email protected], 0413 495 994
Julia Holman, [email protected], 0435 124 673
