Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) is delighted to announce the launch of ATN Frontiers, a new professional development program to transform Australia’s next generation of PhD and Research Masters students into industry leaders.

ATN Frontiers is designed in partnership with leading academics from across ATN and will be available free of charge to ATN research students. The program brings together students from all disciplines and encourages them to blend their research with their own vision of the future, while establishing linkages with industry and navigating disruptive innovation.

The program combines self-paced and online learning and interactive workshops where students share their insights. Throughout the program, students will engage with industry representatives and learn directly from their experience. The program covers entrepreneurship, engaging with industry and data analytics, and more modules are currently in development.

Students will also attend a national biennial summit hosted by ATN. Each summit will focus on a different challenge and opportunity for a sector’s future.

It will open to student enrolments in August 2021 and begin teaching in September.

ATN Frontiers is a collaboration between ATN’s member universities: Curtin University, Deakin University, RMIT University, University of South Australia and University of Technology Sydney.

For more information, please visit our ATN Frontiers Website

Quotes attributable to ATN Chair and Deakin University Vice Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin:

“ATN Frontiers is a valuable new program of professional development for our research students. These students are an incredibly important cohort, and it is vital that we support them in the early stages of their careers.

“ATN Frontiers will support these students to take their research out of the lab and into the business community. It will build their practical skills, including in entrepreneurship, engaging with industry, and data analytics.”

Quotes attributable to ATN Executive Director, Mr Luke Sheehy:

“Together, ATN’s member universities have over 9,000 PhD and Research Masters students, with two thirds conducting their research in STEM areas that are vital to Australia’s innovation pipeline and future economy.

“ATN Frontiers will accelerate these students in applying their research to a high-impact career, and will help build Australia’s sovereign capability in advanced, innovative IP and technologies.”

Third party endorsement quotes

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education and Youth, Hon Alan Tudge MP:

“It does what we are trying to achieve and that is to give some of the PhD students some of those real practical skills to help them better engage with industry, to further their careers and make a real impact.

“This is one of my top priorities.

“To not only ensure we have great researchers doing pure research, but to translate that research into practical products, practical innovations and into supporting industry to grow our economy.”

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Education and Shadow Minister for Women, Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“Congratulations to the ATN for rolling out their ATN Frontiers program.

“The practical skills gained will be crucial to building Australia’s research capacity now and into the future.

“Building these critical links between research and industry will place HDR students at the forefront of efforts to turn Australian research into great outcomes for the Australian community.

“I look forward to seeing it in action.”

Quotes attributable to Chairman and CEO of Siemens Australia, Mr Jeff Connolly:

“As the world transitions to the fourth industrial revolution, and as we tackle important topics like climate change, we must harness research degree knowledge for better commercial and societal outcomes.

“The ATN Frontiers program is designed to accelerate this process and lead students into careers and industries with more practical and job-ready skills. Translating lab skills into real world applications will benefit industry, society and ultimately Australia’s economic growth opportunities.”

Quotes attributable to Executive Director, Centre for Education & Training, Australian Industry Group, Ms Megan Lilly:

“Businesses everywhere are crying out for workers who provide new ideas. Businesses also want workers who understand disruptive innovation and can navigate the opportunities and challenges of Industry 4.0.

“PhD and research masters graduates provide these brilliant ideas. ATN Frontiers will help them apply their ideas to our businesses, driving business and our whole economy forward.”

Quotes attributable to CEO of Research Australia, Ms Nadia Levin:

“ATN Frontiers will provide great professional development support for Australia’s HDR students.”

Quotes attributable to Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science, Ms Anna-Maria Arabia:

“ATN Frontiers is a tremendous opportunity for the times. More than ever, students need ways to connect, collaborate and build professional skills and networks that equip them for an economy hungry for STEM professionals.”

Quotes attributable to Board Chair, Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, Mr Peter Watson:

“With graduates looking to meet the changing needs of industry, ATN Frontiers is a great example of a program to develop those skills.”