Senator Carr opens Innovative Regions Centre

The $20 million Centre, to be housed within the Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP) will offer direct support to small and medium-sized businesses in Geelong and other targeted regions.

Professor David Stokes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Deakin University, said that the idea and practice of such a Centre sits well with Deakin's research focus in manufacturing.

“On the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, which is the home of the GTP, we have been building a strong portfolio of discovery and applied research in advanced manufacturing,” Professor Stokes said.

“This includes research in new materials, composites, nanotechnology, biotechnology and intelligent systems. We have also been building opportunities for industry to co-locate and collaborate with Deakin researchers at our Geelong Technology Precinct.

“More than 40 partnerships are already in place and we want that number to grow to 60 over the next few years."

Deakin's manufacturing research expertise already includes more than 150 staff and students involved in research at the GTP. Deakin has partnerships with large Indian firms in biotechnology and IT such as Biocon and Satyam, with many large local firms such as Ford and General Motors and with CSIRO.

As a result, Deakin University was an obvious host location for the Innovative Regions Centre. Deakin University is also looking to build even more momentum at the GTP with a proposal to Government under the Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) to establish a new world class manufacturing and design centre at Waurn Ponds. The proposal includes developing a purpose-designed building and cutting-edge technologies that will support and enhance knowledge-based research in manufacturing in Australia.

The proposed centre will use new technologies in virtual engineering and advanced manufacturing to deliver innovative research and education programs for high-value, environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products.

The proposed centre will leverage from Deakin's expertise in manufacturing research and education and its record of success in developing industry partnerships.

“The regional significance of the ‘here and now research and innovation’ which needs to occur in our existing industries and its impact on the economy of today is immense. Innovation in current practice as well as innovation in future design are both essential in the survival of these industries,” Professor Stokes said.

For further information about other research developments at Deakin’s Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds: www.deakin.edu.au/research/itri/

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