In summary

 
  • Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) and the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) have signed a memorandum of understanding to showcase best-practice university-industry collaboration 
  • The UIIN is a knowledge leader in university-industry engagement, providing vehicles for change and supporting its global community of over 120 institutions
  • In partnership, they will co-host a symposium in Melbourne next year, highlighting the value Swinburne's research and development offers to both industry and wider community

Swinburne University of Technology and the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) are proud to announce their collaboration to co-host a symposium in Melbourne in March/April 2024.

The symposium will spotlight a pioneering university model, with a focus on building strong industry partnerships at its foundation. 

"Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Swinburne, this partnership shows how seriously we take placing an industry-driven university model at the centre of what we do," said Dr Werner van der Merwe, Swinburne Vice-President Innovation and Enterprise, who co-signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UIIN’s 2023 Annual Conference in Budapest, Hungary.

"By uniting our brightest minds from research, industry, government, and beyond, we can address some of the most pressing challenges faced by our society today.  

“The symposium will highlight the value Swinburne's research and development offers to both industry and community, fuelled by our students' expertise.”

Industry leaders and key government stakeholders will collaborate with Swinburne researchers and students, focusing on a solutions-oriented approach to drive change.

"Enhancing the impact of education and research at universities can only be done with all parties at the table. This Symposium will serve as a co-creation space to collaboratively built solutions for mutually beneficial partnerships and unlock the full potential of universities,.” said Arno Meerman, Chief Executive Officer of UIIN.  

"It will offer a valuable platform for our community to discuss some of the key challenges in external engagement and provide practical solutions to universities, SMEs, large industry and government stakeholders alike.” 

Vice President, Innovation & Enterprise Dr Werner van der Merwe (Left) and Chief Executive Officer of UIIN, Arno Meerman (Right)

Pursuing a vision

Swinburne is a global leading Australian university with a proud history of fostering innovation and generating value through deep industry partnerships. 

The symposium is a concrete step in achieving the ambitious vision for the future of Australian universities, recently mapped out by Swinburne Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester in the Australian Universities Accord. This vision includes a sector that forms ‘districts’ in key areas of national need, which would attract researchers, students and industry partners to gravitate to for scale. 

University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) is a knowledge leader on university-industry engagement, providing vehicles for change and supporting its global community of 120+ passionate and ambitious institutions to more effectively engage across education and research. 

The event will be held on and around Swinburne’s campuses and partner venues, highlighting the institution's already deep ties with industry and its commitment to fostering innovation. More details around the event will be released later in the year. 

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