It was quick to present its expertise following yesterday’s announcement

The university is “ready to help train the workforce and provide research expertise that will be required to help Australia achieve its goal to be a nuclear-powered defence force,” it announced soon after the PM spoke.

Uni Adelaide pointed to expertise all over, in particular its marine engineering masters “which includes a focus on submarine design” and will be “updated with a new focus on nuclear propulsion” and a PG course in radiation management, which, “will be adapted to the requirements of the nuclear submarine enterprise.”

Higher education’s peak lobby Universities Australia was out yesterday selling its members as essential to the extraordinary commitment. “We have been in close discussion with our government, including through the Defence Strategic Review, and AUKUS partner governments at the highest levels, on how universities can boost the flow of highly educated workers needed to boost our capability in the interests of all.”

But it is Uni Adelaide that grasped the opportunity to pitch its credentials in Australia’s naval shipbuilding capital.