WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary will soon host one of three centers in the world to support submarine production through the Australia, United Kingdom and United States security alliance, the Hampton Roads Alliance announced last week.
Established in 2021, AUKUS is a trilateral security alliance between the three powers to create cohesion in their nuclear arsenals. Initially, it is focusing on nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
The university noted it will be the only U.S.-based AUKUS Center of Excellence, with centers planned in Sheffield, United Kingdom, and Adelaide, Australia.
The selection was announced as part of the Hampton Roads Playbook, a plan to grow the region’s defense and shipbuilding industry.
HRA sees the center focusing on growing a skilled workforce, strengthening supplier networks, developing new technologies and crafting sustainable infrastructure and energy, some goals which align with William & Mary’s Vision 2026 strategic plan, according to the university.
William & Mary said the initiative will be led by the Whole of Government Center of Excellence.
According to the university, the center will act as a joint research and development hub for emerging technologies and supply chains to accelerate new operational processes, and collaborate to attract private investment and support new ventures. Additionally, the centers will exchange expertise and best practices to advance submarine production, workforce training, supplier growth, and innovation, and will prepare leaders for the fields of maritime defense & technology.
“William & Mary’s designation as the U.S. academic home for the AUKUS initiative underscores the vital role of higher education in advancing innovation and security,” said Provost Peggy Agouris. “This Center of Excellence brings together dedicated expertise to address complex global challenges and prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of maritime defense and technology.”
Hampton Roads and William & Mary were a natural choice for the U.S. Center of Excellence, according to the Hampton Roads Alliance.
“The Hampton Roads Playbook is a unifying economic development strategy which calls on the region to grow the economy by building upon its strengths,” said Douglas L. Smith, president & CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “William & Mary, with its global reputation for excellence and deep ties to international partners, is the perfect home for the U.S. AUKUS Center of Excellence. Hampton Roads is at the forefront of shaping global security, and this partnership brings together the intellectual power and connections of one of the world’s great universities with the industrial strength of America’s military metro.”
Read the full story at W&M News.
