A program to help train members of the Australian Navy in the use of autonomous vehicles has secured the Australian Maritime College a national award.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Launceston-based AMC won two awards at the Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry Awards.
The education institution's commercial arm AMC Search won the Regional SME of the Year for its partnership with the Australian Navy to use and extract data from AUVs.
AMC Search manager Chris White said the $1.5 million contract worked in partnership with educational aims while building up the capacity of Australia's defence.
"We are fairly aligned in what we do...we use the AMC's resources to put funding back into the education," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Tasmania to reopen its borders to South Australia on December 3
- Support dries up: escaping family violence in Tasmania during COVID
- Snapshot shows Tasmanian council's 10 year rate increase
- Report reveals Tasmania remains unaffordable for renters on low incomes
- Chant Street Uniting Church Tennis Club to close its doors after 89 years
Students also have the ability to learn more about AMC Search's functions; the autonomous underwater vessel facility has two UTAS interns assisting with the research.
AMC was also awarded Education Institution of the Year.
Principal Michael van Balen AO said the nod helped to strengthen the partnership the AMC had with Australia's defence industry and its sovereign shipbuilding capability.
"We're very proud of the strong partnership we have built with defence and related industries over a long period of time," Mr van Balen said.
"Maintaining strong connections between academia, defence and industry is essential as Australia progresses its goal to build a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability."
The AMC was a finalist in the Education Institute of the Year category last year but has not won before.
RELATED STORY: Tasmania's work in defence recognised
Mr van Balen said AMC was Tasmania-based, but it was a national institution, which was solidified with these awards.
"AMC plays a key role by providing the education and training needed to build a pipeline of talented naval architects, engineers, management and logistics professionals. We are honoured to be recognised as Academic Institution of the Year for this service," he said.
Defence Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the awards showed the commitment of Tasmania's maritime industries.
"AMC has been the dedicated national institute for research and training across maritime engineering, marine environment, maritime logistics and seafaring since it was established 40 years ago and AMC Search has been Australia's leading provider of maritime training, research and consultancy for 36 years," he said.
"These wins show the commitment of our maritime industries to move into the highly valuable defence sector and Tasmania's growing capacity in supplying defence industries locally, nationally and around the globe."
The 2020 Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry awards received more than 500 submissions from 150 companies.