As a leader in innovation, UNSW this week released its plan to ramp up university-wide innovation initiatives to coincide with the federal government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.

The UNSW Innovation Statement – a central component in the UNSW 2025 Strategy – demonstrates the University’s commitment to boosting Australia’s economic and social prosperity.

 “The federal government’s plan to enhance the country’s innovation capacity is an important contribution to the ongoing effort to scale up innovation and work more collaboratively for a far greater impact,” UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said.

“Universities clearly play a key role in that agenda and by working effectively with industry, government and leaders across the entire innovation ecosystem, we have a profound impact.

“As a leader in innovation, UNSW is prepared to take the first step in this wider collaboration by investing significantly in programs that facilitate these relationships. Our Innovation Statement shows we stand ready to work with government, industry and other research partners to deliver the full benefit from innovation and research to Australia,” Professor Jacobs said.

UNSW already leads the country in industry-linked research funding under the ARC Linkage Grant scheme. This week the University welcomed major investment by government and industry in its world-leading quantum computing research.

UNSW also has the largest student start-up program in Australia, and was one of the first adopters of the world-leading easy access IP scheme.

“We see the creation of intellectual property and knowledge as a national treasure and asset, to be shared with society,” Professor Jacobs explained.

“The UNSW Innovation Statement is our roadmap to how we will ramp up these initiatives even further.”

UNSW will fulfil its vision through five new or expanded programs to deliver initiatives including:

  • Expanding UNSW industry incubators on campus and 100 more student start-ups per year
  • A new Innovation Park adjacent to UNSW Randwick campus by 2020
  • Opening an internationally accredited Clinical Health Research Facility
  • A new Academic Health Science Partnership (three universities, three local health districts and six medical research institutes)
  • 1000 new industry internships and a Fellowship Scheme
  • Expanding the Easy Access IP model and an Easy Access Innovation Portal
  • Vouchers for SMEs, entrepreneurs and start-ups to purchase university engagement.

Read the complete Innovation Statement on the UNSW 2025 Strategic Plan website.

Read the opinion pieces: Collaboration key to innovation by Professor Jacobs and Dr Kevin Cullen, CEO of UNSW Innovations; and Innovation’s flying start; where now? by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Les Field.