The University of Southern Queensland will be part of three Trailblazer Universities projects under the government’s $362 million initiative.
The University of Southern Queensland will help shape the future of advanced manufacturing in three major sectors as the lead recipient of one Trailblazer Universities bid and a research partner in two further successful bids. It is the only regional university named as a project lead out of the six announced under the initiative.
The University has secured $50 million in funding to lead the development of the ‘Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Hub’ which will spearhead Australia’s effort to boost commercialisation and national capability in the space sector.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said that together with partner universities ANU and the University of South Australia, the project would build on the University of Southern Queensland’s leadership in areas of hypersonics, advanced materials and astrophysics.
“We will help ensure our country’s sovereign capability in space and launch grows well into the future, providing significant boosts to the national and regional economy,” Professor Mackenzie said.
The University of Southern Queensland is also a research partner in the University of Queensland-led Food and Beverage Accelerator project, and Deakin University’s Recycling and Renewable Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH).
The two projects also secured $50 million in funding each from the inaugural Trailblazer Universities Program, to assist select universities to partner with industries and lead research and development in important manufacturing sectors.
Professor Mackenzie congratulated the University of Queensland and Deakin University on the announcement of their successful Trailblazer University bids.
“We are proud to be a partner in the UQ and Deakin bids and look forward to collaborating with them on these projects that contribute to the National Manufacturing Priorities, particularly in areas of such emerging significance,” she said.
The Regional Universities Network’s (RUN) Executive Director, Alec Webb, acknowledged the University of Southern Queensland on its success in the Trailblazer University initiative.
“This investment not only recognises the immense value that Australia’s regional universities can provide to the Australian economy, but it’s a major vote of confidence in the strength and depth of research capability on offer at the University of Southern Queensland,” he said.
“RUN commends the work being undertaken at the University, and all regional universities who are adding their expertise to areas of national priority.”