The Energy and Minerals Institute has been launched at the University of Western Australia, boasting an impressive board of trustees including Rio Tinto executive Sam Walsh and Shell Australia chair Ann Pickard.
The board will be chaired by Greig Gailey who has more than 40 years' experience in the resources sector.
Also on the board are diplomat Richard Smith, executive director development at CSIRO James Bradfield Moody and Glenn Kellow, the President of Stainless Steel Materials for BHP Billiton.
The board does not have particularly strong links to Western Australia with half not residing in WA.
The Board of Trustees will ensure the practicalities and experiences of industry are reflected in the Institute and that the intellectual leadership and innovative research conducted at the University are transferred to industry
UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, said Institute advanced the University's commitment to supporting and developing the industries which continue to drive the State's economy and social wellbeing.
"As the world's appetite for energy continues to grow, the University's research will develop new knowledge and advanced technologies for the efficient and sustainable use of energy," Professor Robson said.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the institute would play an important role in researching solutions to challenges confronting the sector in the 21st century.
"Whether it's in the area of exploration, production or business policy, we see the institute as providing an important link between academia and government, industry and business," Mr Howard-Smith said.