UQ and Hatch in collaborative research agreement

The University of Queensland and global engineering firm, Hatch, are to form a Strategic Development Partnership.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed in Brisbane today by UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay and Hatch Managing Director Australasia Geoff Knox, the parties have agreed to engage in collaborative research and capability development activities.

This will include research into light metals; reliability and maintenance engineering; undergraduate education; and professional development of Hatch staff including use of flexible learning techniques.

Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture, Professor Andrew Lister, said there was a close alignment between the University’s research capabilities and the technology needs and industry opportunities represented by Hatch.

“Both parties share an interest in developing more innovative means of conducting research and in developing the capability of staff,” Professor Lister said.

“Hatch and the University will provide ‘in-kind’ contributions during the establishment phase of the Partnership, and both parties will work together to secure funding from external sources.

“UQ and Hatch have held a series of successful events over the past year. This agreement builds on that success, giving formal recognition to an exciting and strategically important partnership.”

Hatch Managing Director Australasia Geoff Knox said his company was excited about the agreement and the opportunities for Hatch and UQ people to work closely together.

“Hatch is a knowledge company. As one of the largest engineering services and management consulting companies in Australia, we offer our clients a breadth and depth of skills and experience across the full range of specialist disciplines,” Geoff Knox said.

“This agreement with UQ is the culmination of discussions over many months and it provides an exciting platform for future collaboration on a number of fronts.”

Media: for more information, contact Professor Andrew Lister (telephone 07 3365 3329), Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 1088) or Paul Luker at Hatch (telephone 07 3834 7777).