29 January 2018
This week, the University of South Australia will become the first Australian university to have a technology transfer office in China’s most vibrant industrial development hub, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP).
The University’s commercialisation arm, UniSA Ventures, will open its doors at SIP on January 29, launching a platform for the promotion of UniSA research and important access to the Chinese market and investors.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the foundation of the SIP office in China will open up invaluable opportunities to showcase the University’s most innovative research and forge international industry partnerships.
“The University already has a demonstrated track record for commercial deals with Chinese companies and investors,”Prof Lloyd says.
“Our presence in Suzhou reaffirms our commitment to China and is an important step to further grow this activity. It will put our best innovation and entrepreneurial experts in one of the most thriving business incubation communities on the planet.
“It will be our front door in China and we will be supported to incubate new companies in Suzhou, introduce SA start-ups to Chinese partners and investors, conduct technology and commercialisation workshops, promote UniSA degree programs and engage with our international alumni.
“Part of this development also includes direct SIP support for UniSA Ventures to increase the number of its commercialisation collaborations with Chinese companies and investors.”
Already, Fujian Tiantai Pharmaceutical, which recently established company operations at SIP, will be the first industry research collaboration between a SIP company and UniSA.
Located in the Dushu Lake Sci-Edu Innovation Park, the 25 km2 science and technology educational zone hosts 24 universities including Oxford and Liverpool Universities, UCLA and the National University of Singapore.
The park contains six key areas for economic transformation and development and is home to 25,000 companies, of which 91 are Fortune 500 firms including leading brands such as J&J, Lilly, BD Novatis, Pfizer, GSK, Wyeth, Samsung, Microsoft, Nokia, AMD, Fairchild, Siemens, Hitachi, 3M, Bosch UPS, and Motorola.
The University will be represented at the launch of its new UniSA Ventures office at Suzhou Industrial Park by UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor External relations and Strategic Projects, Nigel Relph; CEO of UniSA Ventures, Dr Stephen Rodda; Chair of UniSA Ventures, John Grace and UniSA Ventures Commercial Manager, Dr JC Tan.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
