Curtin University

Educational and Training Institution

Overview

Curtin University is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and commitment to preparing job ready graduates for the future. As a university with an established reputation for innovation, Curtin excels in a diverse range of research areas that aim to make tomorrow better for people all over the world. The National Resilience and Security (NRAS) Program Office at Curtin University aims to consolidate Curtin’s defence collaborations, creating a centralised hub responsive to Australia’s defence challenges, including technological innovation and workforce development. Through NRAS, Curtin leverages its interdisciplinary expertise and strategic partnerships to actively help shape the narratives of defence, national security and space within Australia, while also contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.

Capabilities

Curtin University is a Defence Industry Security Program accredited institution, with a strong network of multi-disciplinary research teams, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a history of successful collaborations. The university delivers high-impact research programs to strengthen Australia’s sovereign National Resilience and Security, particularly in defence, national security, and space, these include

Build and Sustainment - advanced & additive manufacturing, non-destructive testing (NDT) & material characterisation; platform engineering, optimisation & asset management; condition monitoring, corrosion and biofouling; defence critical minerals & energy transitions.

Robotics & Automation - autonomous and remote systems and swarming; AI-driven decision making & adaptive control and human-robot interaction & trust.

Space-to-Seabed - advanced space, land & undersea sensing; Integrated detection models & algorithms (AI/ML); maritime mapping & MetOcean; Quantum sensing and technologies and underwater communications.

Next Generation Defence Technologies - electronic warfare and signals intelligence; advanced combat system software architectures and secure collaboration platforms (Nebula).

Workforce Development and Teaching - targeted skills & training; talent pipeline, recruitment & retention, incl. new pathways; preferred AUKUS learning and teaching partner in Western Australia with 320 Commonwealth supported positions funded by the Australian Submarine Agency; strong student alumni network and programs.

Discriminators

Location and Size: Largest University in Western Australia

Indian Ocean Footprint: Campuses in Malaysia, Colombo, Singapore, Dubai, and Mauritius

Global Ranking: In the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU, 2022)

Employer Satisfaction: Curtin graduates rated the best employees in Australia with an 89.7% employer satisfaction rate (ESS, 2022)

Pioneering Critical Minerals and Resources Technology: Curtin University, in collaboration with The University of Queensland and James Cook University is spearheading efforts to translate and commercialise university research. This partnership aims to enhance capabilities and generate real-world impact in the resource’s technology and critical minerals sector. Supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and industry, the $242 million Trailblazer Program is set to revolutionize collaboration among industry, universities, and researchers, setting a new standard for future partnerships.

Curtin is placed in the top one per cent of tertiary institutions worldwide, according to the 2019 Academic Ranking of World Universities, and the latest Excellence in Research Australia analysis ranked more than 95 per cent of our assessed research areas at or above world standard.

Curtin is ranked 1st in Australia for Mathematics and 2nd for both Earth Sciences and Chemical Engineering according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Curtin also has a strong focus on digital innovation with industry funded research centres pushing the boundaries in fields of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.