Deakin, Victorian Government to partner in regional innovation hub

The Victorian Government has committed to contribute to the building of ManuFutures — a $13 million centre to lead innovation to support the future of advanced manufacturing in regional Australia. ManuFutures will be built at Waurn Ponds and once operational is expected to increase state output by over $220 million annually, create over 100 direct jobs, create around another 300 indirect jobs and increase wages by $34 million each year.

ManuFutures will serve as a hub for start-up and established businesses. In partnership with Deakin University, businesses striving to harness their competitive advantage will combine their capabilities with the university’s creative imagination, industry-focused research strategies and smart business models.

Deakin University has welcomed today’s commitment from the Victorian Government to contribute to the build of ManuFutures — a $13 million centre to lead innovation to support the future of advanced manufacturing in regional Australia.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander has welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment and said ManuFutures would house up to 15 companies at any one time.

“We are delighted the Victorian Government has announced today it will support this essential project with a $3 million contribution through its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund,” Professor den Hollander said.

“It will allow commercial businesses to collaborate with leading research centres including the Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training, the Institute for Frontier Materials, the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research and faculties including Health, and Science, Engineering and Built Environment.

“Deakin University is committed to the communities we serve and ManuFutures is a key part of our commitment to ensuring new industry growth and job creation, not just in Geelong, but throughout the state.

“Typically, great Australian inventions are refined and monetised overseas, but in order to compete through a strong economy, Australia must link high technology innovation to new ideas and do so quickly and competitively.

Dimension Data Systems Integration Services Director Duncan Brown welcomed the opportunity for greater partnership between Deakin University and industry.

Brown said Dimension Data’s collaboration with Deakin University would include a project to address cybersecurity and how it applies to Victoria’s economy in areas as diverse as public transport, water, health care and financial services.

“This is all about keeping Victoria the most liveable place in the world and, above all, creating jobs of the future for Victorians,” Brown said.

“There is a local and global skills shortage in the cybersecurity industry and our economy depends on the security that these new jobs will deliver to our companies and government agencies.”