There was some good news for the University of Wollongong this week with the Federal Government to provide an additional $5 million in new funding for the UOW-led, ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation (Steel Research Hub).
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The Steel Research Hub will be funded for five years (2021-2025) and led by Dr Paul Zulli.
The Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, announced the funding on Wednesday as part of the ARC's Industrial Transformation Research Program.
In addition to the ARC funding, the Steel Research Hub's eight industry partners, BlueScope Steel, Liberty Primary Steel, Infrabuild, ArcelorMittal, Bisalloy, Australian Steel Institute, Weld Australia and Australian Industry Group will contribute another $13.9 million in cash and in-kind support.
UOW, together with RMIT University, Australian National University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Newcastle, Deakin University, University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and Monash University, will contribute a further $9.5 million cash and in-kind.
The total funding for the Steel Research Hub is $28.4 million.
Hub drector Dr Zulli welcomed the funding announcement, and said he looked forward to the Steel Research Hub strengthening its collaboration with the Australian steel industry, through delivering both new innovative research outcomes and training of a new generation of capable and influential researchers and technologists.
"A globally competitive domestic steel manufacturing industry is a strategic asset for Australia's nation-building, economic growth and employment," Dr Zulli said.
"The domestic industry must continue to provide a secure, flexible and high-quality local source of steel and products for infrastructure and construction, manufacturing, mining and agriculture.
"The research outcomes delivered over the coming five years will benefit the competitiveness and future growth of large and small steel-related businesses in Australia.
"In turn, these should positively affect key societal challenges, such as providing affordable housing and quality infrastructure, developing longer-lasting materials, recycling of resources, and training a more capable and diverse workforce."
The first Steel Research Hub began operating in 2014.
The overarching goal of the new Hub is to support the transition of Australia's steel manufacturing industry to a more sustainable, competitive and resilient position, based on the creation of new, higher value-added products and more advanced manufacturing processes.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
