Sydney, Friday 18 November 2022
The New South Wales Vice-Chancellor’s Committee (NSW VCC) has partnered with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in a unique opportunity to boost the nuclear science and technology workforce of the next generation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed 18 November 2022 between the two parties, with the NSW VCC as the representative committee for 14 universities across NSW and ACT, and ANSTO as Australia’s centre of excellence for nuclear science and technology.
NSW is home to some of the world’s leading research institutions, which provides advantageous collaboration opportunities for the development and training of workforces across the nuclear industry, research, and educations sectors. Areas of focus of the MOU include:
- Establishing common interests and capabilities in nuclear science and technology to develop the required national workforce skills and training,
- Developing a prospectus to identify and promote key areas for activity,
- Supporting the preparation of funding cases by the parties for resources and activities; and
- Forming a joint working group to progress MOU activities.
The 14 universities included are: Australian Catholic University, Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, University of Canberra, University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of New South Wales, University of Notre Dame, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong, and Western Sydney University.
Professor Barney Glover, the Convener for the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee said the MOU was an opportunity to strengthen the link between the universities and government.
“Working collaboratively to develop a framework to establish a strong workforce for the nuclear industry, research, and education sections is vital to not only inform a national approach, but to also support the future economy of NSW”.
ANSTO’s Group Executive Nuclear Safety, Security and Stewardship, Dr Miles Apperley welcomed the partnership with the NSW VCC.
“A nuclear-literate workforce is essential for Australia’s outcomes in fields as diverse as defence, resources, environment, and health. The MOU recognises an important collaboration in NSW that helps promote this important national agenda,” Dr Apperley said.
For nearly 70 years, ANSTO has undertaken nuclear-based science, technology, and research for the benefit for all Australians. ANSTO operates a large proportion of Australia’s landmark and national infrastructure, including one of the world’s most modern – and Australia’s only – nuclear research reactors, the Open Pool Australian Light-water multipurpose reactor.
ANSTO’s start-of-the-art infrastructure places Australia at the forefront of innovation for the benefit of industry, public health, and the environment, particularly through the nuclear fuel cycle.