Charles Sturt Uni chancellor Dr Michele Allan takes over as SmartSat CRC chair

Agribusiness professional and serial board member Dr Michele Allan has stepped up as chair of Australia’s main area analysis centre, SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), following the sudden passing of inaugural chair Dr Peter Woodgate on Christmas eve.

Dr Allan, chancellor and board chair of Charles Sturt College, additionally chairs the Meals and Agribusiness Development Centre (FIAL), Trusted Autonomous Programs Defence CRC, and Wine Australia. She’s additionally a director of the CSIRO, the Meals Agility CRC, and Dairy Meals Security Victoria and joined the SmartSat CRC board when it was based in South Australia in July 2019.

The SmartSat CRC brings collectively extra 100 nationwide and worldwide companions who’ve invested greater than $190 million, topped up by $55 million from the federal authorities, into analysis during the last seven years. It really works with the Australian House Company & Defence, in direction of the federal government’s objective of tripling the scale of the area sector to $12 billion and creating as much as 20,000 jobs by 2030.

Precedence business sectors for SmartSat embody telecommunications, agriculture and pure sources, transport and logistics, mining, and defence and nationwide safety.

Dr Allan acknowledged the premature passing of Dr Woodgate and his management.

“He was an inspiring chief, and I’m honoured to tackle his legacy,” she mentioned.

“I look ahead to working with the SmartSat CRC group to pursue our targets for advancing Australia’s area and spatial industries.”

SmartSat CRC CEO Professor Andy Koronios mentioned they had been happy Dr Allan was entering into the position regardless of the unhappy circumstances.

“As one in all our founding board members, Dr Allan AO has already made an unlimited contribution to our organisation. This, alongside together with her various business data and wealth of management expertise will likely be extremely invaluable as SmartSat CRC enters its fourth 12 months,” he mentioned.

“We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our inaugural chair, Dr Peter Woodgate, whose dedication and repair will likely be deeply missed. As we glance forward, we’re decided to make sure that we proceed Peter’s legacy.”