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The University of Oulu and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance joint research in future communication technologies, including 6G and beyond, quantum communications, robotics, and situation awareness.

The agreement was signed in Sydney on 4 November by Professor Matti Latva-aho, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Oulu, and Distinguished Professor Jay Guo, Director of the Global Big Data Technologies Centre at UTS.

This partnership connects two of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems in next-generation communications. University of Oulu leads Finland’s 6G Flagship programme, while UTS drives Australia’s Connectivity Innovation Network and national initiatives on network sensing and quantum technologies. Together, they are positioned to shape secure, sustainable, and intelligent communication systems that will underpin the digital societies of the 2030s.

“We have been collaborating for a long time in the field of wireless communications, and with 6G, we share several common interests—such as closing the digital divide in rural areas, making future networks resilient and dual-use capable, and enabling various sensing mechanisms and new applications through 6G,” emphasises Vice-Rector Latva-aho.

The signing was also attended by Finland’s Ambassador to Australia, Arto Haapea, who underlined the importance of strengthening scientific collaboration between the two countries.

“The collaboration between the University of Oulu in Finland and the University of Technology Sydney represents an important achievement between trusted partners. It also embodies the relationship between Australia and Finland, globally leading players in the field of 6G and digital technologies. Today’s announcement has the potential to significantly boost science and innovation collaboration between our nations across both the security and technology spaces.”

“UTS and Australia in general have world-leading capabilities in 6G, quantum and robotics research, and our mobile network operators like TPG Telecom and Telstra are well known for their innovation spirit, but we don’t have a strong manufacturing industry. By collaborating with the University of Oulu and the Finnish 6G Flagship in particular, we hope to form an Australia-Finland ecosystem on future digital technologies, thus making global impacts on the economy, society and environment,” says Jay Guo.

The collaboration aims to promote joint research activities, staff and student exchanges, and participation in international research projects.

This article was first published on 4 November by University of Oulu.