New Fishermans Bend manufacturing and innovation centre to benefit students

University students are set to gain a world-leading educational opportunity in Fishermans Bend with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today by BAE Systems Australia and the University of Melbourne.

The global tier-one defence company that has been in Australia for more than 60 years will build a state-of-the-art manufacturing and innovation centre at Fishermans Bend should it be selected to supply the Australian Army with its AMV35 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV).

This follows the University of Melbourne’s announcement that it will establish a new engineering focused teaching and research technology hub at Fishermans Bend in December.

The MoU gives University of Melbourne students access to equipment, data and testing facilities at the BAE Systems Fishermans Bend facilities, as well as BAE System’s global activities, networks and early careers programs.

The two organisations have agreed to consider opportunities to collaborate in relations to graduate placements, internships, research and development activities and the sharing of facilities.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis said that this announcement makes the new campus at Fishermans Bend an even more attractive proposition for students as it will increase opportunities to study new areas of engineering and provide better facilities to improve quality courses and conduct research.

“It will be a unique and world-leading opportunity,” Professor Davis.

“This announcement builds on the University of Melbourne and BAE Systems’ strong relationship both in Australia and around the world and provides a solid platform for future research and collaboration.”

BAE Systems CEO Gabby Costigan said the two organisations have a unique opportunity to build on existing relationships to collaborate and build the skills for Australia’s future workforce.

“We are already working with the University of Melbourne on hypersonics, autonomy guidance and control capabilities and recently jointly bid into the Trusted Autonomy CRC,” Ms Costigan said.

“BAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and by partnering with universities we will enable students to leverage our world-class expertise and build the skilled workforce for the future. We hope that many Australian students will also benefit from this.”