ANU and the University of South Australia will develop joint programs in epidemiology and population health as the first steps in a new partnership.

The Vice-Chancellors from the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding at Parliament House on 15 May, setting up a practical example of the 'hubs-and-spokes' university relationship model encouraged by the Federal Government.

"We're two institutions that only a little while ago would have been described as chalk and cheese," ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said at the launch.

"Our different histories have necessarily made us different in what we concentrate on, how we go about doing what we're doing, the disciplines that we have as part of our profile, the size of our institutions, the balance between undergraduate and postgraduate [offerings] - all those things are quite different.

"But we see that you can draw strength from those differences, and make something better than either of us can do on our own."

The agreement will provide opportunities for students to move between the universities, undertake joint degrees, and access education and research options not available at their primary place of study.

UniSA Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the agreement would expand the horizons of students and provide the expert education required to meet Australia's need for highly skilled workers.

Initial collaborations between ANU and UniSA in allied health and specialised engineering areas are expected to begin next year.

The signing was attended by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.

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