Forging Future Leaders: University of South Australia

The September 2021 announcement of a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (AUKUS) heralded the first steps in a commitment between the three countries to jointly support each other’s security and defense interests.

The initiative is built around two main pillars: Pillar I, to assist Australia’s efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy; and Pillar II, to streamline and strengthen its defense collaboration, including cooperation on emerging technology.

The pact is also driving significant opportunities for those working in and servicing these sectors. Which is why, behind the scenes, a trio of universities in the three countries have come together to create a framework to develop the necessary skills for the ongoing evolution of each nation’s security and defense ecosystems.

The trailblazing program is called the Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space and is led by Australia’s University of South Australia (UniSA), in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in the United States and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

The Global Executive MBA is the first of its kind tailored to meet the most pressing challenges facing the security and defense sectors, particularly when increasing global geopolitical instability is factored in.

"The defense and space sectors need leaders who can navigate complex geopolitical relationships and work across different cultural and institutional contexts."

– Lan Snell

"The defense and space sectors need leaders who can navigate complex geopolitical relationships and work across different cultural and institutional contexts," Professor Lan Snell, Dean of Programs (Postgraduate), UniSA Business, tells The CEO Magazine.

The complexities associated with the multi-decade projects require a range of skills and capabilities, ranging from technical skills to project management and leadership capabilities.

"The AUKUS arrangement means working with different cultures, agencies, organizations and teams," Snell explains. "This requires technical understanding as well as future-focused capabilities such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving."

After all, while technical skills are required to build the submarine infrastructure, sustainment and construction, developing advanced cooperation between the three partners as outlined under Pillar II will be required across the supply chain.

A Tailored Curriculum

The program is designed for uniformed and non-uniformed personnel from small and large defense companies, government and adjacent industries from AUKUS and other allied nations to bolster capabilities. Consisting of 12 courses covering the organizational functional requirements of an MBA contextualized in defense and space, it will be delivered across the three countries.

As part of the tailored curriculum, students will listen to and engage with internationally recognized industry and guest speakers, including star rank defense force officers, former CEOs and board members of defense primes and other prominent industry figures.

This will allow all those who undertake the program to extend their knowledge and capabilities in relevant fields, including space systems, defense procurement, global security and digital disruption.

"The type of long-term, complex international collaboration needed for successful defense projects calls for high-level management and leadership skills," says Professor Alexandra Gerbasi, Dean of the University of Exeter Business School.

"The type of long-term, complex international collaboration needed for successful defense projects calls for high-level management and leadership skills."

– Alexandra Gerbasi

Exeter’s long-established leadership research centers in the United Kingdom, as well as its significant experience in defense work, she adds, makes it well placed to "make a strong contribution to the Global Executive MBA program and the development of these critical skills".

For Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean, and Richard P Simmons, Professor of Finance, both at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, this trilateral arrangement is not only about educating individuals.

"We are fostering global collaboration and shaping an intelligent future," they state.

The inaugural cohort of students has now commenced the customized 18-month program. Among them is Glen Gallagher, Operations Manager at aerospace company Boeing Defence Australia, who notes the importance of navigating the delicate balance between innovation, effectiveness and conscience.

"The Global Executive MBA will also help act as a catalyst for those of us in the defense and space sectors to make informed decisions using the visionary leadership skills gained throughout the course," he says.

Expanding Horizons

As part of the MBA, students will undertake residencies in Washington D.C. and London, two deliberately chosen study locations.

"Both cities aren’t just ‘cool destinations’ – they are hubs of global influence and thought," Gallagher adds, who says he is thrilled at the opportunity to study overseas. "For me, undertaking an academic residency overseas is going to expand my intellectual horizon while also allowing me to forge some invaluable global networks.

"I find the prospect of a shared global experience and the strategic, collaborative vision offered through the program very exciting."