In Summary

  • Swinburne builds on existing partnership with Shandong University
  • New agreement will see an advanced manufacturing research centre developed
  • Collaboration opportunities will include a joint PhD program

Swinburne is expanding its partnership with Shandong University Weihai (SDUW), Weihai Economic and Technological Development Zone (WZ) and the Australian Education and Management Group (AEMG).

The three parties have signed an agreement to establish a joint research centre in advanced manufacturing.

The joint research centre will focus on:

  • Automation & mechatronics
  • 3D printing
  • Biomedical devices and medical manufacturing
  • Electronics manufacturing
  • Advanced Manufacturing Materials

Aleks Subic and colleagues stand in a line looking at bicycles

International collaboration opportunities

The collaboration will give Swinburne the opportunity to share research facilities, enable researcher collaboration for joint research projects and papers, undertake joint supervision of doctoral level research students, and engage with industry. 

“As part of this partnership, students will have the opportunity to undertake a PhD, jointly supervised by Swinburne and SDUW working on industry projects. They will have access to facilities at both universities and work on industry projects in the Weihai Economic and Technological Development Zone,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Aleksandar Subic says.

Leading researchers from both universities will engage with WZ’s key industries in the areas of advanced manufacturing, in particular automation and advanced materials processing.

The joint research centre will be located at WZ’s science and technology park, which is due to launch in early 2017.  Swinburne will be the first international university to have a presence in the park.

Swinburne and SDUW are current education and research collaboration partners and the recent agreement takes this collaboration to a new level.

“This research partnership aligns with Swinburne’s strategic direction and one of our key research institutes. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial for all parties, as we work together to create impact in the field of advanced manufacturing,” Professor Subic says.

The Premier of Victoria, Honourable Daniel Andrews, MP formally announced the establishment of the joint research centre during his recent trip to Beijing in September.