Boeing and RMIT fly higher with new strategic agreement

The relationship includes a multi-year research agreement and the establishment of a Boeing Professorship at RMIT, with the appointment of Professor Stuart Bateman, Chief Investigator from the School of Engineering.

Joint cutting-edge research will concentrate on biomimicry – technologies that are inspired by nature such as tree branches and bird wings – with projects focusing on bio-inspired composite materials, bio-inspired films and surfaces, bio-inspired repair, and digital manufacturing materials and processes.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Martin Bean CBE, said the agreement exemplified RMIT’s direction as a global university of technology, design and enterprise.

“RMIT’s research and innovation creates impact through collaboration – with industry and enterprise embedded in everything we do,” he said.

“We want our students to have a transformative and connected experience, and our longstanding and multi-dimensional relationship with Boeing helps make this happen."

RMIT has a long history of strong collaboration with Boeing, including undergraduate education, postgraduate research and collaborative research.

Boeing is also active in promoting academic excellence and enhanced student experiences, providing opportunities for students at all levels.

General Manager, Boeing Research and Technology Australia, Michael Edwards, said by continuing to work together, one of the most valuable outcomes would be growing the skills and professional readiness of RMIT graduate students.

“We see our continued alliance with RMIT as a way to not only conduct meaningful joint research, but more importantly, to find and inspire the next generation of researchers, engineers and scientists for Australia and indeed the world.”

LinkedIn shows 121 RMIT alumni currently working for Boeing in Australia and a further 288 having worked for them in previous years.

One example is Dr Lauren Burns, who has a PhD from RMIT and now works as a composite research engineer with Boeing Aerostructures Australia.

Story: Deborah Sippitts