The campus' inaugural director, Professor Tony Owen, announced today that the UCL School of Energy and Resources Australia will be a collaboration between the South Australian Government, Santos and the college.

Santos will contribute $10 million towards the project.

"What (we're) doing is creating a skill base and a centre of excellence here which can be used right throughout Australia and Asia, so this is not just about SA," Santos chief executive officer and managing director David Knox told reporters.

UCL vice-provost, Professor Michael Worton, said despite the global economic crisis, skills and training remained crucial.

"If we're going to see our way out of this trough, we must attempt to develop the skills of our workforce and our young people," he said.