Collaborative program under new MOU

Friday, 25 May 2018

The University of Adelaide and Fincantieri Australia, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and a participant in the selection process for the Federal Government’s SEA 5000 Future Frigates program, have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a collaborative program of education and research cooperation.

The agreement will also involve CETENA, a subsidiary company of Fincantieri, which undertakes research and consultancy programs in the naval and maritime fields.

Under the agreement, the three organisations will work together to pursue academic and educational cooperation by establishing a program that will see the exchange of University of Adelaide undergraduates and post-graduate students, lecturers and professors, researchers and technical and administrative staff to Fincantieri and CETENA facilities in Italy; collaboration in research in complex technical and scientific fields of common interest; and the development of initiatives aimed at sharing lessons in governance and management. The MOU also includes a commitment to develop joint projects across the public and private sectors and to continue to search for further opportunities and areas for collaboration in the future.

The Director of Fincantieri Australia, Mr Sean Costello, said that the University of Adelaide is one of the country’s leading educational institutions and the move reinforces Fincantieri’s commitment to its Industry Plan to develop a continuous shipbuilding industry that will enable Australia to design and build its next generation of vessels.

“This partnership will allow Fincantieri to transfer our knowledge and technology to University of Adelaide students, academics and technical staff, equipping them with the right education and training capabilities as the Federal Government’s naval shipbuilding plan enters a critical phase.

“This MOU between Fincantieri Australia, CETENA and the University of Adelaide shows the strong cooperation between Australian and Italian industries and demonstrates our commitment to the transference and sharing of knowledge and growing the global opportunities for Australian industry. With its existing strengths in research and education, the University of Adelaide is an ideal partner for Fincantieri Australia,” Mr Costello said.

The University of Adelaide’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship), Professor Noel Lindsay, said the MOU allows the University to expand its research and academic capabilities in shipbuilding and defence at a crucial time for these industries in the city of Adelaide.

“We’re very excited about working with such an iconic global organisation such as Fincantieri and its subsidiary CETENA,” Professor Lindsay said.

“Their clear commitment to innovation and development aligns perfectly with the University’s approach to building entrepreneurial capacity not just within our student cohort, but the community as a whole. We’re looking forward to developing some unique and interesting projects together.”

The President and CEO of CETENA, Mr Sandro Scarrone, said: “CETENA has a long history of working with leading Italian research institutions, including the University of Genoa. We are excited by the opportunity to work collaboratively with the University of Adelaide and share our experiences across teaching, science, management and culture.”


Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation. It is leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Headquartered in Trieste (Italy), the Group has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. With more than 19,500 employees, of whom more than 8,300 in Italy, 20 shipyards in 4 continents, today Fincantieri is the leading Western shipbuilder. It has among its clients the major cruise operators, the Italian and the U.S. Navy, in addition to several foreign navies, and it is partner of some of the main European defense companies within supranational programmes.
www.fincantieri.com

CETENA S.p.A. is a company within the FINCANTIERI Group dedicated to research and consultancy in the naval and maritime field. Since the foundation in 1962, CETENA has been involved in national and international research activities and has carried out research and consultancy and technical assistance for shipyards, shipowners, navies and universities, with a wide range activities on board, development of specific products, laboratory tests, transfer of technology and training activities in maritime field for civil and naval sectors. CETENA is based in Genova, with offices in Trieste, Muggiano, Castellammare, Palermo and Workshop in Riva Trigoso, near Genova.
www.Cetena.it

The University of Adelaide is a world-class research and teaching institution, centred on discovering new knowledge, pursuing innovation and preparing the educated leaders of tomorrow. Australia’s third oldest university, the University of Adelaide is proudly ranked in the top one percent of universities in the world. Adelaide has over 100 Rhodes Scholars among its distinguished alumni and is associated with five Nobel Laureates. We attract academic staff who are global leaders in their fields, along with the best and brightest students. The University of Adelaide is Australia's leading university in defence engagement with government and industry.
www.adelaide.edu.au

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