The Australian National University (ANU) has welcomed a new collaboration with the Australian Government for a new facility to help grow Australia’s cyber-security workforce and Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) capabilities.

Minister for Defence the Hon Marise Payne and ACT Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja have announced the $12 million investment from the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

The investment will fund a joint facility in the new $45 million building for the ANU Research School of Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences Institute.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC said the investment would strengthen collaboration between ASD and ANU students and researchers in the crucial area of data analytics and cyber security.

“As Australia’s national university, ANU is committed to working in collaboration with government and industry to help provide the research and education that Australia needs to cope with future challenges,” Professor Schmidt said.

“We are delighted to partner with the ASD on the new centre, which will help build on the University’s strength in STEM subjects and Australia’s expertise and capacity to meet future challenges.”

Dean of the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Professor Elanor Huntington, said the joint initiative would lead to an open exchange of ideas and expertise and would be a great benefit to students and researchers.

“This investment is a welcome and public endorsement of the great strengths of computing and mathematical sciences at ANU, and of our contribution to Australian knowledge and innovation,” Professor Huntington said.

The new building for the Research School of Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences Institute is expected to be completed by January 2018.