For the second year in a row, Flinders University has been named Best Future Skills Provider at the Defence and National Security Workforce Awards.

The prestigious honour recognises Flinders’ leadership in delivering a wide range of landmark education and research initiatives that support the development of Australia’s future defence workforce.

This award-winning program includes the Diploma of Digital Technologies, alongside a trailblazing suite of nuclear engineering programs, developed in partnership with the University of Rhode Island.

Flinders University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Romy Lawson said the award recognises Flinders’ ongoing efforts to contribute to the defence workforce of the future.

“Over the last few years, Flinders has expanded on existing collaborations with our education and industry partners to introduce new courses and build defence pathways,” Professor Lawson said.

“From our degree apprenticeships to micro-credentials and masters and PhD level programs, these skills are developing Australia’s AUKUS capability and workforce, and Flinders is stepping up to enable more students to pursue STEM careers in the emerging defence industries.”

Flinders currently offers undergraduate majors and micro credentials and a comprehensive suite of postgraduate courses, further strengthening pathways into emerging defence industries.

• Flinders has introduced a degree apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering with major defence lead partner ASC Pty Ltd, supporting apprentices to earn while they learn.
• Flinders is delivering the first Australian undergraduate nuclear engineering degree with a first cohort of students taking part in an exchange program with the University of Rhode Island in 2025.
• The University is delivering its Micro-credential in Cybersecurity Governance and upskilling students from the defence industry in Digital Technologies.
• The Master in EW (Electromagnetic Systems and Spectrum Operations) has trained members of the Australian Defence Force and industry.
• Flinders delivers industry aligned PhDs through the ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation.

Dean of Education in the College of Science and Engineering, Professor Giselle Rampersad, accepted the award on behalf of the university on May 15.

In a further showing of Flinders’s leadership in defence education and research, the university has also been named a finalist for Academic Institution of the Year in the upcoming Defence Connect – Australian Defence Industry Awards.

Professor Sophie Leterme, Director of the ARC Training Centre (ITTC) for Biofilm Research & Innovation, who has been recognised as a finalist for Academic of the Year for her ground breaking research into biofouling on naval vessels and docks.

Flinders Defence Partnerships Director Tony Kyriacou, who has been instrumental in seeking opportunities and securing partnerships for the university, says Flinders’ and Professor Leterme’s recognition underscores the strong links between its education and research initiatives with and for the defence sector.

“Flinders University is recognised as a partner of choice by industry and defence in Australia and internationally, including our collaboration with the US Naval Undersea Warfare Centre,” he said.

“All six Flinders Colleges support either research and or teaching projects that advances the sector and we look forward to continuing to drive forward our strategic partnerships.”

The winners of the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2025 will be announced at an awards ceremony in Canberra on 10 July.