29 March 2021
In an effort to support Australia’s growing space, defence and national security capabilities, Nova Systems and the University of South Australia (UniSA), have committed to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Nova Group CEO Jim McDowell and UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week, in a commitment to working closely over the next five years in industries critical to the State’s economy.
The MoU is focused on growing the future pipeline of engineers and conducting industry and academic exchanges in emerging technology areas, with a particular emphasis on defence, national security and space.
It will see the organisations collaborate in a range of areas, including:
- Staff and student placement opportunities including options to grow Nova’s award-winning Graduate Program.
- Collaboration in research development and technology focused on defence, national security and space.
- Joint development of training, education and short courses in support of defence, national security, and space industrial capability.
Nova Group CEO Jim McDowell said the signing strengthens the existing relationship between the organisations and would benefit the future workforce, who will be at the forefront of emerging technologies.
“As a 100% Australian owned and operated engineering services and technology solutions company, we are invested in working closely with academia to grow and sustain local smarts to solve complex challenges and keep our world safe and secure,” Mr McDowell said.
“This initiative will provide more opportunities for young Australians to gain industry insight, while at the same time studying at university, furthering the Australian Government’s efforts to create and sustain a local workforce of the future.
“By exchanging ideas and sharing best practice, students will gain new ideas about how to convert their learnings into practical solutions to support future capability requirements in the defence, national security and space domains.”
Collaboration in developing external short courses which support developing industrial capabilities will also be explored, including leveraging Nova’s established training in core capabilities, such Test and Evaluation.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd said the MOU would enable collaboration on world-class research and the provision of employment opportunities for graduates.
“With Nova being one of Australia’s leading engineering services and technology companies and UniSA a leader in the sector for industry engagement, it makes sense for us to work together,’’ Prof Lloyd said.
“The defence industry is a critical part of the South Australian economy – it’s essential that, as a university, we work closely with industry to educate a local, high-tech defence workforce for the future.
“This partnership will provide a great opportunity for our students to gain industry experience, for the defence industry to benefit from our world-class defence research, and for our academics to embed themselves in the industry.”
About Nova Systems
Nova Systems is a leading Australian owned and operated engineering services and technology solutions organisation, which was founded in Adelaide in 2000 and has grown to more than 650 employees worldwide.
About Nova Group
Nova Group is a leading engineering services and technology solutions partner. Our vision is to solve the complex challenges that really matter to our clients. Nova’s businesses include professional services provider Nova Systems, aerospace engineering firm GVH Aerospace, Geospatial firm Geoplex, and software as a service firm two10degrees. We employ 650 talented and dedicated professionals across our strategically located offices across Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, the United Kingdom and Europe. We also engage an additional 200 professionals who are strategic partners that make up our supply chain.
Media contacts
Lauren Crilly
Senior Media and Content Advisor Nova Group
E: lauren.crilly@novasystems.com
M: +61 403 979 101
Bronwyn Hurrell
Associate Director News and Communications University of South Australia
E: bronwyn.hurrell@unisa.edu.au
M: +61 427 393 656
Pictured: UniSA graduate Paul Summerton, Professor David Lloyd, Jim McDowell and UniSA graduate Katrin Horsey.
