The University of Adelaide has redesigned their Masters of Marine Engineering (MME) program and are now conducting classes for post-graduate students.
Offered by the School of Mechanical Engineering, at the University of Adelaide, the course prepares students for careers in submarine design, project management, and the supply chains to support marine engineering.
The program was first offered in 2015 and has since expanded, with more enrolments each year. This year 49 students are on track to complete the course’s requirements.
During their studies, each student designs an individual project to develop a submarine concept design, utilising the professional tools the School has available.
With local production of the Attack Class submarine, to replace the Collins Class vessel, the $50 billion submarine building project is growing the need for locally trained specialists.
The student body comprises a broad range of backgrounds, from recent graduates to Defence and industry employees. French students from the French Grande Ecole d’Ingénieurs ENSTA Bretagne are also in attendance, after a collaboration agreement between the University of Adelaide and the French college were signed.
The Australian submarine builder ASC Pty Ltd is supporting the program with instructors who are experienced in submarine construction not only in Australia but also the UK, France, Spain, and Sweden.
“ASC has the people and expertise to not only help design and build the RAN’s future submarine platforms, but also to develop the skilled workforce required to deliver Australia’s naval shipbuilding plans in coming decades,” said chief executive officer of ASC, Stuart Whiley.
ASC has previously delivered the Collins Class submarine and maintained the program throughout its lifetime.
“ASC is the repository of more than 30 years of experience and knowledge that has been honed and updated to ensure the Collins Class remains a regionally superior submarine for the nation. So it’s a natural fit for ASC and the University of Adelaide to be collaborating in this area,” Whiley.