Assistant Minister for Defence - Defence Science Partnership wins Best Engagement Strategy Award

Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Stuart Robert MP today congratulated the Defence Science and Technology Group and the Department of Defence on winning the Best Creative Engagement Strategy Award from Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia.

“This award is well-deserved recognition of the innovative Defence Science Partnership framework that puts Defence’s research relationship with the Australian university sector on a very productive and cost-effective footing,” Mr Robert said.

The Defence Science Partnership framework has slashed from months to weeks the transaction times for completing research agreements with the 27 universities now participating in the new streamlined arrangement.

The framework includes standard agreements for collaborative research, sharing of infrastructure, scholarships and staff exchanges, simplified Intellectual Property regimes and a common framework for costing research. The framework was developed in close collaboration with the university sector.

“The Government welcomes this initiative to reduce red tape and achieve better research outcomes for Defence,” Mr Robert said.

Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky said the Defence Science and Technology Group had been strengthening its external engagement activities in recent years and this award recognises the effort undertaken by the Group to expand Defence’s ability to access a broader network of national research capabilities.

The Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia awards recognise research organisations’ success in creatively transferring knowledge and research outcomes into the broader community.

Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert’s office) (02) 6277 7730 or 0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999