The University of Adelaide said it is ready to help train the workforce and provide the research expertise needed to help Australia achieve its goal to be a nuclear-powered defence force.
The University’s statement comes after the Australian government announced its plans to purchase US submarines as an interim measure before building UK-designed craft in Adelaide.
The AUKUS trilateral security pact, which was announced in September 2021, will see assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom for Australia’s efforts to build nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
Professor Peter Høj AC, vice-chancellor and president at the University of Adelaide, said a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability will need engineers and scientists from a wide range of disciplines, including nuclear physics, chemistry, mechanical, electrical, and nuclear engineering.
“The University of Adelaide has an outstanding global standing for teaching and research across all major engineering disciplines as well as a strong track record of working closely with industry and government in the development of programs that meet specific needs and will work collaboratively to co-create programs to meet these needs,” Høj said.
The university also offers a postgraduate course in Radiation Management, which will be adapted to the requirements of the nuclear submarine enterprise.
“For example, our Master’s in Marine Engineering course, which includes a focus on submarine design and operation, was co-created with industry. This course will be updated with a new focus on nuclear propulsion to address the specific needs of a nuclear submarine capability,” Høj said.
The University of Adelaide said cooperation will be a crucial element of the future submarine program, which will bring jobs to South Australia in the coming decades.
