UNSW launches Nuclear Innovation Centre to advance Australia’s nuclear technology

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has cut the ribbon on the Nuclear Innovation Centre (UNIC) at its Kensington campus in Sydney, with the opening attended by Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy MP. The UNIC has been designed as a broadly applicable hub bringing together academics in a cross-disciplinary and cross-industry collaboration to develop a skilled workforce and future leaders in nuclear science within Australia. UNSW is joined by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong, who share the goal of building a competitive and prosperous nuclear technology industry in Australia. Minister Conroy said it was a pivotal moment for nuclear science in Australia, and the new centre would play a key role in promoting growth in the field of nuclear science and engineering. “This is a fantastic initiative that will bring together experts from different disciplines to collaborate and innovate,” Minister Conroy stated. “Australia has a long and proud history of excellence in nuclear science and technology, and UNSW has led the way,” he said. “I can’t think of a better time – or a better place than UNSW – to inaugurate a Nuclear Innovation Centre.” $7.5 million from Sir William Tyree Foundation Underpinning the inaugural launch of the UNIC, the Sir William Tyree Foundation committed $7.5 million in funding to the initiative, establishing a suite of research scholarships in nuclear engineering. The donation will fund a research program, scholarships for Masters and PhDs in nuclear engineering, and will support junior academic positions at the new centre. Professor Obbard said the gift from the Tyree Foundation would ensure the swift delivery of the program. “My heartfelt thanks to Robbie Fennell and Peter Tyree, and the late Sir William Tyree for his vision,” he said. “I am one person whose academic career in Australian nuclear engineering was started by their gift to UNSW in 2014. “Their support will enable us to train 40 top-tier nuclear experts for Australia. I don’t think we’d be here today without the Tyree Foundation’s support and involvement with nuclear engineering at UNSW over the past 10 years.” Obbard and his team’s main goal is to advance nuclear technology in Australia, in the context of rapid decarbonisation globally. “We are growing a nuclear workforce in Australia grounded in academic excellence, diversity and social inclusion, which in turn are foundations for nuclear safety in all Australia’s nuclear activities,” he said. “We are connecting our research to industry applications and embedding the results of our research in our education programs, so that they continually evolve. “The UNIC is part of UNSW’s first societal impact framework, which is helping us to focus our efforts for maximum effect and benefit to society.”