Last week, Flinders University welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon. Richard Marles MP and Louise Miller-Frost MP, Member for Boothby, to Tonsley Innovation District to showcase the Factory of the Future and Flinders’ Women in STEM Cadetship and Advanced Apprenticeships program.

The visit was a chance to show the Deputy PM how the co-location of the new Tonsley Technical College will build on Flinders’ commitment to bringing research, education and industry together to equip the future workforce. Professor Stirling shared information about Flinders’ new nuclear major for the Bachelor of Engineering, which will begin in Semester One next year and is a key outcome of the partnership with The University of Rhode Island. Flinders University’s role in the AUKUS submarine deal and its partnership with the University of Manchester was also the topic of conversation, and how both these collaborations are putting Flinders at the of nuclear science and technology education in Australia.

While on the tour, the group visited the location where the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator will be built, supported by $10m in Commonwealth funding. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also made an appearance, sharing his employment White Paper with Flinders’ very own Spot the Boston Robotics Dog.