University of Newcastle and Upper Hunter Insights Forge Strong Collaborative Bonds for Regional Advancement

The Upper Hunter region is undergoing a deep shift right now, with its industries, companies, and communities developing to take use of its distinctive and significant advantages as it boldly moves into the future.

At its Upper Hunter Facility in Muswellbrook. This event provided a forum for the government, business, and public to interact with the top-tier research being done at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and learn about the numerous advantages of working with the University. Distinguished speakers included top university academics and leaders from Ethtec and Jord, who highlighted how their partnership is promoting research translation and resulting in improvements in the region's economy, environment, and social conditions.

The University's vision and dedication to the area were stressed by Professor Zee Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and Professor Alan Broadfoot, Executive Director of NIER, with an emphasis on assisting the energy, resources, food, and water sectors.

The Priority Research Centre for Frontier Energy Technologies and Utilization's Director, Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, presented the Center's ground-breaking studies on decarbonization technologies for industrial and defense applications.

Dr. Jessica Allen, Academic Convenor of the Energy Doctoral Training Centre (DTC), spoke about the special chances provided by DTCs to transform research into workable solutions and create cutting-edge technology, helping graduates by boosting their skill sets. Dr. Allen also highlighted Samantha Clark's PhD thesis from the Resources DTC, which she is working on with Jord to improve the effectiveness of the Multiple Hearth Furnace.

Irma Dupuis, a PhD candidate from the Food and Agribusiness DTC, added to the event's richness by sharing her research on blockchain-enabled wine labels and their impact on customer trust.

The program came to an exciting conclusion with a Q&A session when attendees interacted with the panel, inquired about active research projects, and looked at opportunities for closer collaboration with the University. The Muswellbrook Shire Council then offered a tour of the STEM Innovation Lab and Advanced Manufacturing Center. This occasion served as a reminder of the local community's and the University's combined commitment to strengthening the Upper Hunter as an engine of economic growth while enhancing the area's sustainability and resilience.

The following speakers are especially acknowledged for freely sharing their knowledge and experiences: