News
April 10, 2024
Editorial Director
Military Embedded Systems
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. In a collaborative effort to expedite the integration of commercial dual-use technology solutions and elevate the advanced education of defense leaders, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) have joined forces.
Announced on April 9 at the Sea-Air-Space Conference in National Harbor, Md., DIU Director Doug Beck and retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, President of NPS, revealed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU aims to capitalize on past achievements and established partnerships between DIU and NPS, with a focus on broadening coordinated initiatives and future prospects related to education, research, and innovation. The collaboration will encompass student fellowships at DIU, personnel exchanges, joint experimentation, and projects in conjunction with the Naval Innovation Center (NIC) at NPS.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who introduced the NIC at NPS in December 2022, expressed his anticipation for the realization of the Naval Innovation Center’s vision at NPS. He emphasized the unique educational opportunities that the NIC will offer, facilitating collaborative research between industry, academic partners, and NPS students to explore cutting-edge warfighting solutions.
Highlighting the integral role of defense education and research in fostering innovation, the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy emphasized the significance of modernizing capabilities through advanced education. It underscored the necessity for evolving defense practices in alignment with contemporary requirements rather than relying on outdated paradigms.
The forthcoming collaboration with industry is poised to be a pivotal aspect of this initiative. DIU Director Beck highlighted the natural synergy between DIU and NPS, given the latter’s defense-oriented focus. This partnership is envisioned to bridge the gap between companies and NPS talent and technology experts, facilitating a conducive environment for learning and applied research aimed at delivering innovative solutions for the joint force.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the strategic alliance with DIU will bolster NPS’s capabilities in line with her strategic priorities. She emphasized NPS’s role in cultivating agile warfighters capable of translating contemporary challenges into future strategies, thereby ensuring a sustained advantage in warfighting capabilities.
NPS boasts a diverse faculty with expertise spanning various defense-related disciplines such as cybersecurity, oceanography, physics, naval engineering, and space systems. President Rondeau underscored the role of NPS in nurturing warrior-scholars who strive to effect positive change. She highlighted NPS’s function as an innovation hub, fostering collaboration with industry partners to swiftly transition research concepts into practical applications and capabilities. The collaboration with DIU is expected to amplify the impact of NPS students on the fleet and force through expanded partnerships and enhanced access to emerging technologies.
For more information on the Defense Innovation Unit, visit Defense Innovation Unit.
For more information on the Naval Postgraduate School, visit Naval Postgraduate School.
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