The University of Southern Queensland remains positioned to embrace opportunities and confront challenges during this time of immense change. Rapid technological advancements – highlighted by the rise of artificial intelligence – are reshaping our world. At the same time, we face economic, workforce and social pressures combined with significant global insecurity.

At the University of Southern Queensland, we are working to identify solutions to the problems that matter. Researchers in our flagship areas of space and defence, agriculture, health, and regional development are making a difference. We are leading the way to help drought-proof the country, challenging the story of human migration, building Australia’s sovereign space capability, helping search for a cure for dementia, finding ways to curb obesity, and developing solutions to improve the mental health of our young people.

Collaboration remains critical, and the University is committed to working with government, business, industry, and the community to develop new research capabilities, drive commercialisation outcomes and invest in new industry engagement opportunities.

Current energy projects see the University collaborating with industry partners to develop grid connected supercapacitor systems for energy storage and network auxiliary services, and new sodium-ion battery technology for electric trucks and buses.

The University’s Institute for Resilient Regions is working with a range of agricultural partners to deliver climate resilience, and develop new industries as part of the transition to a renewable energy economy, with key opportunities in skills and workforce development.

The University of Southern Queensland Charleville nursing node – a collaboration with Southern Queensland Rural Health, Southwest Hospital Service and Charleville State High School – provides an end-to-end education and training service. This program enables students to learn and stay in the regions, embedding knowledge and skills in rural communities.

The University is addressing present workforce shortages, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. A new $38M allied health facility to open in 2025 at our Ipswich campus will boost access to world-class training programs and research facilities to improve health outcomes and meet future workforce needs. 

The University’s global partnerships with international space leaders are helping build commercial pathways and deliver impact in Queensland. The $180M iLAuNCH program led by the University is accelerating space innovation and commercialisation by transforming world-class local research into practical breakthroughs.

The opportunities for Queensland are significant. Our population is booming, and the Olympics are on the horizon. Our willingness to seek new partnerships and collaborations and move ahead together will assure Queensland’s future prosperity and security.