UNSW enters landmark innovation partnership with NSW Government
The five-year agreement builds upon plans to position NSW as a national leader in university collaboration.
Published on the 16 Feb 2022 by Stefanie Menezes
UNSW Sydney has signed a historic five-year partnership with the NSW Government to help boost innovation, attract investment and strengthen collaboration across the sector and state.
The high-level Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreement is a first for both NSW and Australia, with a total of 11 NSW universities signing the partnership with the State Government.
The agreement contains a pipeline of more than 100 current and potential strategic opportunities to support innovation across broad areas such as big data, artificial intelligence, cyber security, clinical innovation, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, regional development and more.
“NSW is home to some of the world’s leading universities and we want to strengthen our working relationships with the sector to commercialise research and develop world-leading local precincts where people live and create jobs,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
“What you’ll see from our government through these agreements is a framework that takes NSW university collaboration to an unparalleled level,” he said.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said never before had the state government and NSW universities engaged so comprehensively.
“We know how important research institutions have been during the pandemic and we want to continue to work closely with our unis,” Mr Ayres said.
“Last year our impressive collaboration with NSW universities saw us become the first state in Australia to announce a pilot manufacturing facility to spearhead the establishment of a local RNA industry. That was just the tip of the iceberg.”
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the agreements were a critical part in positioning NSW as the leading Australian state for university and industry collaboration.
“We don’t just want to rival other states for our collaboration, we want to lead the way across the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Henskens said.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said he was pleased UNSW is partnering with the Government on such an important initiative.
“This is an exciting opportunity to combine our expertise and resources with Government and accelerate innovation and commercialisation in NSW,” Prof. Brungs said.
“UNSW is one of the leading research and teaching-intensive universities in the world, known for pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact. We’re uniquely placed to help develop and implement new strategies by providing research and academic support.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Nicholas Fisk said the partnership will help strengthen the translation of research in NSW.
“Commercialising an innovation or great piece of R&D is a key driver of new sources of jobs and industries, and we welcome the NSW Government getting right on the front foot here,” Prof. Fisk said.
“UNSW research informs policy and expert commentary on a wide range of issues facing society so this collaboration will roundly benefit the community both here in Australia and beyond.”
The agreement builds upon the objectives set out in the NSW Government’s 2040 Economic Blueprint, Three Cities Plan, COVID-19 Recovery Plan and Global NSW Strategy.