The industry-government-academia dynamic has always had its challenges, and while a perfectly balanced interdependency is arguably unlikely, recent happenings have hinted towards a more collaborative approach.
More and more, the presence of industry-academia partnerships grows, many aimed at overcoming workforce skilling and re-skilling. Just recently, partners Teledyne Webb Research and Rutgers University unveiled the Sentinel Mission, an around-the-world research exploration using a Teledyne Slocum Sentinel Glider to explore ocean conditions like currents and environmental variables. With additional involvement coming from the Marine Technology Society, NOAA, and the UN Ocean Decade, the Sentinel Mission is a multi-stakeholder success.
OceanAlpha also recently delivered an L12E uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to support the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s innovative research and development efforts while also expanding their exploration abilities.
The Government of Canada announced the official opening of the Facility for Intelligent Marine Systems (FIMS)—solidifying Canada’s support of a stronger and more collaborative federal science programs. Supported centers like this provide scientists and researchers with the tools and facilities needed to progress and bring genuine innovation to the field.
Such collaborative efforts represent important milestones in the systematic integration of fresh thinking and a progressive approach to applied marine science practices.
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