Helping university students continue in their quest for knowledge and learn job-ready skills developed for the space sector is all part of a summer upskilling program from the Australian Youth Aerospace Association (AYAA).
iLAuNCH has partnered with the AYAA’s Astra Program to provide tertiary students and young professionals of all disciplines with a unique opportunity to learn about important issues in the Australian space industry.
The student workshops spanning almost three months, will help young professionals answer questions across law and policy, technology, sustainability and socio-cultural areas.
iLAuNCH says it is supporting the program with a Subject Matter Expert, Darin Lovett, and sponsoring one scholarship winner to attend the Andy Thomas Foundation’s 17th Australian Space Forum.
As a part of the Casuarina team, one of three teams in the Astra Program, Darin will work with participants to help answer the question, “How could Australia develop a resilient space infrastructure that supports civilian, commercial and national security demands?”.
“I’ve been a long-time supporter of the AYAA Astra program that challenges participants to solve wicked space problems in a multi-disciplinary fashion. I hope my experience spanning three decades in Defence and space, from both Australia and overseas adds value” said Executive Director of iLAuNCH, Darin Lovett.
“iLAuNCH is helping to build the workforce of the future by upskilling young professionals from across Australia with programs like these to gain an in-depth knowledge of the space industry.”
The Casuarina team includes twelve space enthusiasts who range from undergraduate to postgraduate students and young professionals. Two Program Coordinators will lead the team, Georgi Coddington, Program Coordinator and Deputy Director of the Astra Program who is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics)/ Bachelor of Mathematics degree at the University of Wollongong and Gian Magdaluyo who has been part of the Astra Program for two years as both a participant and a Program Coordinator, while studying for his Juris Doctor at Monash University Faculty of Law.
“What is unique about the Astra program is that there is no disciplinary bar to joining. Our participants come from a range of STEM and non-STEM backgrounds. We aim to entrench the notion that the space industry is for everyone. What all participants have in common is a passion for the Australian space industry and a willingness to learn and collaborate,” said Astra Program Director, Zeina Shaheen.
The Astra Program includes eight workshops over the summer, giving participants valuable knowledge of Australia’s space sectors, while connecting in one-on-one dialogue with space professionals, and providing real-time ideas for the future of the industry.
