UNSW signs research agreements with Chinese industry

UNSW researchers working to develop research and commercial opportunities in the fields of robotics and environmental protection have secured two new industry partnerships during UNSW’s Torch research roadshow in China.

The delegation of 13 UNSW researchers from eight schools met with more than 200 enterprises, technology transfer platforms and investment institutions during the roadshows held in Yixing, Shanghai and Guangzhou last month. The event, which aims to encourage global knowledge exchange and industry collaboration, involved companies from a wide range of research fields, including health and biotechnology, environment, energy, materials and manufacturing, big data and analysis, imaging and AR/VR.

Cooperation agreements were signed with two technology companies during the roadshow. The first, between the UNSW Centre for Transformational Environmental Technologies (CTET) and China Coal Technology and Engineering Group (CCTEG), will support collaborative research and talent exchange in the field of water treatment.

The project will be led by Scientia Professor David Waite from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who is also Executive Director of CTET, UNSW’s first overseas research centre. The facility is dedicated to driving research and commercial opportunities in environmental protection, especially water treatment, resource recovery, and environmental management and sustainability for coal mines.

Robotics engineering company Shanghai Acrobotics, founded by UNSW alumnus Wayne Liu, signed the second agreement to establish a joint R&D centre focused on the development of robotic operating systems. Professor Claude Sammut from the School of Computer Science & Engineering will lead the project to create user-friendly interfaces and human–robot interactions.

Professor Ian Jacobs, President and Vice-Chancellor of UNSW Sydney, said the partnerships will provide a further boost to driving innovation between UNSW and Australia’s largest trading partner, China.

“Collaborating across sectors and across borders to expand our knowledge is increasingly important. Our world so desperately needs answers to grand global challenges in such critical areas as climate change, artificial intelligence and health,” said Professor Jacobs.

“The UNSW Torch Innovation Precinct, the first of its kind endorsed outside of China, supports researchers and entrepreneurs to seek those answers. Torch is helping us better prepare for the future by advancing new research frontiers, and more effectively translating that research into real-world impact.”

UNSW has signed more than $75 million research contracts with 70 partners, with an additional $200 million worth of contracts under active discussion.

Flagship contracts include research and commercialisation in energy, environment, advanced materials, manufacturing and biotech.

Image: UNSW Scientia Professor David Waite and Head of Torch Innovation Precinct Dr Yuan Wang were part of the delegation. Source: UNSW.