KINGSTON, R.I.—Oct. 11, 2024—The University of Rhode Island and Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, have established a groundbreaking partnership in nuclear engineering to support the AUKUS alliance’s strategic goals.

The security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States represents a tangible example of their longstanding commitment to deepening alliances. This collaboration positions Flinders as the first university in Australia to offer a comprehensive nuclear engineering degree, enhancing the nation’s capabilities in this critical field.

“We are honored that Flinders University chose URI as a partner in this critical initiative for the U.S. and Australia,” said Anthony Marchese, URI dean of engineering.  “It makes perfect sense, of course. URI is strategically located in the epicenter of U.S. submarine manufacturing; 50% of our engineering faculty are funded by the Office of Naval Research to perform submarine-related research, and our campus is home to one of the largest university-based research nuclear reactors in the U.S.” 

As part of the agreement, URI faculty members deliver five specialized nuclear engineering courses at Flinders University, with in-person instruction taking place in January and July each year. Upon completing these courses, Flinders students earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering, alongside an undergraduate certificate in nuclear engineering. This dual qualification not only equips students taking this course, who are Australian citizens, with cutting-edge knowledge but also aligns with the AUKUS partnership’s objectives to strengthen defense and nuclear capabilities within Australia.

A unique aspect of this partnership is the dual enrollment of students. Flinders students enrolled in these nuclear engineering courses are simultaneously registered at URI, enabling them to receive grades and academic credentials from both institutions. This innovative approach ensures that students benefit from the academic standards and expertise of two leading universities. The five specialized nuclear engineering courses, totaling 15 credit hours, are distinct courses that students must complete to receive an undergraduate certificate from URI. Flinders University uses these same five URI courses to satisfy the nuclear engineering degree requirements for its students who are pursuing a degree combined with majors such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or physics.

In July, URI professor Bahram Nassersharif taught the course titled Nuclear Reactor Engineering, marking the second time a course was presented at Flinders under this partnership. The course had an enrollment of 27 students, primarily undergraduate engineering students, with additional students from physics and professionals from Australia’s defense industry and government sectors. The class is eight days long, with eight hours of instruction each day. Students are expected to dedicate approximately 140 hours in total to complete the course between homework and reading assignments, including time allocated for a take-home final exam.

“The diversity of the student body reflects the broad interest and critical importance of nuclear engineering in Australia’s future,” said Nassersharif.“This partnership not only provides students with unparalleled educational opportunities but also plays a pivotal role in advancing nuclear engineering expertise and workforce in Australia, thereby contributing to the broader objectives of the AUKUS partnership.”

“The University of Rhode Island is proud to be at the forefront of global partnerships like this, showcasing what is possible when we come together to advance new ideas with a shared vision,” said University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange. “I am confident that this partnership will serve as a model for the kind of international collaborations we need to build now, more than ever, to address the most pressing challenges of our time, particularly around economic growth and security.”

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This press release was written by Krysta Murray, a writer with the URI College of Engineering.