New partnership strengthens regulatory science engagement

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), establishing a strategic partnership focused on regulatory science, health innovation, education and research.  The agreement brings UTS into the TGA’s Academic Outreach Program, an initiative that strengthens engagement between the regulator and Australian universities and builds greater awareness and understanding of regulatory science.

The program provides a framework for engagement between UTS's multidisciplinary expertise across health, science, engineering and technology and the TGA's regulatory leadership in medicines, medical devices and biological products.

Education and knowledge exchange

Dr Alana Piper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement and Partnerships) at UTS, said the agreement recognised the value of bringing academic and regulatory perspectives together.

“UTS brings expertise across health, science, engineering and technology, while the TGA brings a deep understanding of Australia’s therapeutic goods regulatory environment,” Dr Piper said.

“This agreement opens the door to greater dialogue and knowledge exchange on the emerging technologies and regulatory science challenges shaping the future of healthcare.”

The partnership will support educational engagement between UTS and the TGA, including guest lectures, webinars and other activities that raise awareness of regulatory science and therapeutic goods regulation.

These activities will help students, researchers and educators better understand the regulatory frameworks that underpin the safety, quality, efficacy and performance of therapeutic goods.

Student development and workforce pathways

Through the Academic Outreach Program, the partnership will provide opportunities to increase student awareness of regulatory science and the diverse career pathways available across the regulatory sector.

Educational engagement will also help connect students with real-world regulatory perspectives and build understanding of how regulatory science contributes to public health.

Research and strategic collaboration

For researchers, the collaboration provides a basis for UTS and the TGA to identify potential areas of shared interest in research and strategic collaboration.

Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Health Products Regulation Group and Head of the TGA said the Academic Outreach Program deepens engagement between regulators and universities at a time when regulatory science is becoming increasingly important to innovation, safety and public confidence.

"We are delighted to welcome UTS to the Academic Outreach Program. The program provides valuable opportunities to strengthen engagement, raise awareness and understanding, and encourage collaboration between the TGA and the academic sector," said Professor Lawler. "Regulatory science plays a critical role in supporting informed decision-making and helping regulators respond to an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving environment."

Dr Piper said the partnership aligns with UTS's commitment to delivering real-world impact through collaboration with industry, government and community partners.

“By combining UTS's research strengths, translational facilities and educational capability with the TGA's regulatory leadership, the two organisations aim to strengthen engagement between academic expertise and regulatory practice in ways that support innovation, workforce capability and contribute to improved health outcomes for Australians,” she said.