A newly expanded centre at RMIT University is set to support the transformational growth of Australia’s defence and aerospace industries.
The Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre will specialise in innovative capability development, policy advice, industry-focused courses and workforce training.
Centre Director, Professor Michelle Gee, said the university’s experts will work closely with industry and government to help grow Australia’s high-tech economy.
“Australia is in an excellent position to become a world leader in developing niche, high-tech capability to support the growth of industries such as Aerospace and Defence.
“We’re living in an exciting era for these fields, spurred on by incredible technological advances from artificial intelligence, innovative satellite systems and energy harvesting to advanced materials and manufacturing.
“I’m delighted to say we offer a wealth of expertise in all of these areas at the Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre, which will focus on every stage of product development from concept, design and testing through to policy and implementation.
“A key strength will be to bring together expertise from across multiple disciplines including science and engineering, architecture, business, industrial design, policy, law and ethics.”
Focus on training and development
Vice-Chancellor of RMIT University, Martin Bean, said the Centre’s priorities to address the full range of Australian defence interests would also include a big focus on training and development.
“The Centre will strategically align our support of the sector and enable us to more comprehensively deliver trusted technology, policy and business solutions, expert advice, industry-focused micro-credentials, cross-disciplinary courses and workforce training.
“At the same time, it will leverage research and innovation expertise in support of business development and commercialisation.
“This holistic approach provides government and industry with support that is unique and puts RMIT proudly at the forefront of Australian Aerospace and Defence.”
