Deakin welcomes Innovation and Science Agenda

Deakin University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Lee Astheimer, has welcomed the strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship demonstrated by the Federal Government’s new National Innovation and Science Agenda.

Announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday 7 December, the Agenda sets the scene for Australia to become “an innovation nation,” with the aim of improving competitiveness and prosperity into the future.

Pledging more than $1 billion over four years, it covers a suite of reforms that aim to build an entrepreneurial, risk-taking culture.

“A core purpose of universities is to foster innovation and create jobs through leveraging research and education and solving real industry problems,” Professor Astheimer said.

“Universities have a critical role in driving the R&D pipeline that businesses, entrepreneurs and industries can translate into real economic and social outcomes.

“That is why we are strongly engaged with industry to support research that makes a difference to communities and strengthens the employability of our graduates.”

Professor Astheimer explained that the changes foreshadowed in the Innovation and Science Agenda would redirect university emphasis from publishing to partnerships, with collaboration and economic benefit as key measures of valuing national research impact.

“We are also very pleased to see the emphasis on promoting STEM skills, especially computer coding, that will better prepare students for the digital agendas of the 21st century,” she said.

She added that Geelong was well placed to embrace the opportunities ahead because it was already taking an innovation-led approach to economic transformation.

"The region is actively growing new partnerships, jobs and skills and, in Deakin, has a university with a longstanding and successful commitment to embedding industry in our work.

“The Geelong Innovation Precinct at our Waurn Ponds Campus is an outstanding example of what is possible when you partner with industry and businesses to focus on novel scientific discoveries and practical engineering solutions.

“Over the past five years, our precinct-approach has led to the creation of 1,000 jobs through industry partnerships and co-location opportunities. There are also 500 doctoral students on campus.”

The co-location on the Waurn Ponds campus of innovative young companies, like Carbon Revolution, Quickstep, HeiQ and Cytomatrix, has created a cluster of carbon fibre and composite-focused companies with enormous future potential.

Deakin is also working with a number of local manufacturers, including Austeng, Quiksilver, Sykes racing boats and Draggin Jeans, as well as with international companies such as General Dynamics, Ford, Dongfang Turbine Company, Daimler, Dongwo Carpet Company and the Indian Oil Corporation, among many others.

Professor Astheimer noted that the university looked forward to engaging more closely on the detail behind the new agenda, and working with the Federal Government on the changes in the months ahead.