13 September 2016
The University of South Australia will celebrate the launch of its Future Industries Institute tomorrow with a special event that includes tours of the $60 million Institute facilities at Mawson Lakes and a forum explaining how its research is making an impact in South Australia and beyond.
Announced in 2015, the Future Industries Institute is now an established research hub working to connect with industry, develop innovations and support new enterprises in the State.
In the recent State budget the Future Industries Institute was awarded $7.5 million to support engagement with industries to develop new technologies, problem solve and innovate and build local industry skills and expertise and it is already working with a wide range of industries to foster innovation.
Partnered with one of the world’s best Faculties of Engineering at University College London, the Future Industries Institute is developing as one of Australia’s most engaged research institutes - a hub dedicated to making connections and relationships that support industry transformation, says UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd.
“With almost 200-partnered research projects on the go, the Institute is fast becoming the ‘go to’ place for industry,” Prof Lloyd says.
“It has earned a reputation for listening to industry and business, for being able to work across disciplines to get to the nub of a problem, and for having an enterprising engaged outlook.
“Led by a team of top researchers and focussed on four key areas with high potential for industry growth, FII is a flagship for the development of new industries in minerals and resources engineering, in biomaterials and nanomedicine, environmental sustainability, food security and in energy and advanced manufacturing.
“Research at the FII is already making headway in the real world with innovations such as a new magnetic tracer system for cancer detection which is now being developed to product stage through a spinout company, Ferranova; the world’s first fully plastic car mirror, and the development of semiconductor chips that can provide sophisticated drug, alcohol and disease detection.
“We are dedicated to playing our role in creating the future of industries in South Australia.”
Director of the FII, Professor Emily Hilder says she is delighted to have the opportunity to welcome current and prospective industry collaborators to the Institute to give them a better understanding of its capacity and culture.
“Our vision for FII is that it becomes an epicentre for innovation and one where industry feels welcomed and valued,” Prof Hilder says.
“The exciting opportunities we now have to co-locate our research work with industries will help to accelerate innovation and at the same time build a research and development culture here at Mawson Lakes that will be unparalleled in South Australia.
“In high-end manufacturing, in bioscience, microfluidics, biogeochemistry, minerals processing we have such an impressive depth of international talent and experience here that industry and business can be assured they are working in a world leading research environment.
“At the same time we are creating an environment for young researchers to float ideas, and develop close relationships with industry so that they understand and make the most of those partnerships.
“Our goal is to deliver for the economy, for business and industry, and for society, by finding better cures for illnesses and disease, more sustainable practices for the environment, and ideas and scientific advances that will continue to lay the foundation for future improvements.”
Event Details:
UniSA Mawson Lakes campus, Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes
Wednesday September 14 2016
3.00 pm Tour of the FII facilities (starting in foyer of X Building)
4.00pm Official Opening and talks (Mawson Centre)
5.00–6.30pm Networking
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli mobile: +61 418 823 673 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
