Charles Darwin University keeps eye on AUKUS uncertainty
Up to 110 CDU students could be affected by the Trump’s Administration’s decision to review the AUKUS submarine project, with the vice-chancellor confirming the university is “monitoring” the situation.
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Uncertainty around the AUKUS submarine program is having far-reaching effects, including in the Territory where Charles Darwin University, who have a vested interest in the program, have confirmed they will call a meeting with Federal Government officials should the deal fall through.
Last week, the Pentagon announced a review would be undertaken into AUKUS security pact shared between Australia, the US and the UK to ensure the arrangements meets the Trump Administration’s ‘America First’ policy.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has downplayed the decision as “perfectly natural” for an incoming administration, however the move has plunged the $350bn program back into national debate, with Greens Senator David Shoebridge and Independent Andrew Wilkie leading the calls to break away from the arrangement while it’s in turbulence.
Meanwhile businesses and universities across the nation wait to see whether their long-term plans to prosper from the deal will be dashed.
Among the list of nervous stakeholders is Charles Darwin University.
In 2023, the Albanese Government announced 4001 STEM places would be rolled out across the nation with students offered a clear career pathway to support the AUKUS program.
At the time, it was announced CDU had been granted 110 Commonwealth-supported places.
With the Pentagon now revisiting the program, vice-chancellor Scott Bowman confirmed the university was on standby.
“(CDU) is monitoring activity surrounding the United States’ decision to review the AUKUS agreement,” he told this masthead.
“If this review results in changes to the AUKUS agreement, CDU will liaise with the relevant Commonwealth agency for further advice.
“At present, any changes to the AUKUS agreement will not impact CDU’s courses.”
CDU signed up to the agreement on the understanding consecutive years-worth of funding would be provided to students.
“We have catered to the AUKUS agreement through general engineering qualifications and the funds thus far have been used to support students pursuing this course in 2024 and 2025,” Mr Bowman said.
“Two more cohorts of students, to begin in 2026 and 2027 respectively, will receive this Commonwealth support.”
Should the AUKUS program fall through, however, Mr Bowman said there were other STEM avenues available to aspiring students.
“There is a shortage of STEM professionals in the Northern Territory and broader Australia, and we are proud to be able to support students into a variety of STEM education pathways and through outreach initiatives such as the CDU Radicle Centre for STEM Engagement.”
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