THE HON. WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Friday, 29 October 2010
10/10
MEDIA RELEASE
New Institute to focus on world leading Defence research
An important strategic partnership between the Department of Defence, and the
University of Melbourne, will help create smarter defence solutions for a safer
Australia, and deliver the benefits of increased academic engagement.
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP said the
Defence Science Institute (DSI) will undertake multi-disciplinary world-leading
research to enhance the safety of defence personnel, enabling them to ‘work
smarter.’
“This exciting initiative will provide an important avenue for Defence to tap into some
of the best and the brightest scientists and researchers in the country,” Mr Snowdon
said.
Defence will contribute through the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
(DSTO) and Melbourne University will be supported by the Victorian Government.
Victoria’s Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development has
committed $3 million in funding, over the next three years, to support six initial
research topics: biological systems, human protection and performance, signature
management, energy and propulsion systems, micro-radar technologies, and
intelligent information systems.
DSTO will invest more than $2.5 million funding, in cash and in-kind support,
throughout the three year period. Additionally, the University of Melbourne will
contribute some $11.5 million equivalent.
“The DSI’s technical objectives, including improved detection of concealed targets,
and advanced control systems for future electro-mechanical land and sea based
propulsion systems, will directly enhance our defence capabilities,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Finding inexpensive and unobtrusive ways to monitor human interactions associated
with disease transmission, and improving decision making under difficult
environmental stressors, will significantly aid defence personnel safety.”
Mr Snowdon said the DSI provides a vehicle for a diversity of leading researchers
and innovators to work collaboratively.
“Within five years the DSI expects to expand its network of researchers, to embrace
researchers employed by small to medium firms and major Defence prime
companies.
The Centre, once fully operational, will also play a valuable and important role in the
training and mentoring of more than 50 PhD students in associated fields of study.
“It will also provide strategically focused, project based seed funding, to help attract
and inspire the next generation of defence scientists and create real opportunities for
researchers who may otherwise be excluded from this fundamentally important band
of research and development,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media contacts:
Alice Plate (Mr Snowdon)
02 6277 7820
Steve D’Arcy (DSTO) 03 9626 7133 of 0419 991 909
Defence Media Liaison
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
