Five new specialist labs – including a final assembly hub for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles – will anchor a flagship Innovation Precinct at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
University of Sunshine Coast Innovation is one of eight initiatives to share in $94 million of joint State and Federal Government funding announced recently to help South East Queensland become a leading innovator.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said the funding, through the South East Queensland Innovation Economy Fund, will help create a specialised precinct at the Sunshine Coast campus that supports the rapid design, prototyping and testing of advanced digital innovation.
“Delivered in partnership with industry, each lab will harness technology to addresses capability needs in priority areas – from cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and automated assembly to health and sustainable advances in water and energy,” Professor Bartlett said.
“They will serve as a catalyst for industry-led economic growth for emerging and established businesses – backed with the expertise and guidance of UniSC.
“Access to the resources of these labs will allow businesses to undertake high-tech innovation, without significant capital investment, and lower risks,” she said.
“It will create a talent pipeline, providing pathways for University students to engage with industry, contribute to next-generation projects and graduate with advanced skills to elevate our local workforce through technology.”
“This exciting $4.1 million upgrade to UniSC’s Innovation Centre is part of our vision to solve global problems by bringing UniSC staff and students together with industry partners to develop pioneering, sustainable research and technology solutions,” Professor Bartlett said.
The total funding for the project includes just over $2.7 million from the South East Queensland Innovation Economy Fund grant and almost $1.4 million from UniSC and industry partners.
The five UniSC Innovation labs are:
Digital Health Productivity Lab: To advance innovation in the aged care sector and improve the experience for older adults. It will drive efficiencies in healthcare and provide industry-facing opportunities for digital solutions for healthy ageing, anchored by a partnership with global technology company Cisco Systems.
Digital Automated Assembly Lab: To support advanced manufacturing, particularly in automated assembly and robotics, enabling companies to produce high-end prototypes in small batches on the Sunshine Coast. In collaboration with Manufacturing Excellence Forum, it will serve as a final assembly hub for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles.
Connected Environments Lab: To focus on smart environmental monitoring solutions in areas such as energy management, waste reduction, water management and sustainability. In collaboration with a leading global environmental services provider, the lab will leverage IoT and real-time data monitoring to drive sustainable innovation across industries.
AI Computer Vision Lab: To facilitate breakthroughs in AI applications, including computer vision and data analytics. It will support research and commercialisation in AI, enhancing South East Queensland’s capacity for digital innovation.
Cyber and Forensics Simulation Lab: To provide a controlled environment for training, upskilling, and real-world simulations, helping meet the needs of South East Queensland’s growing cyber security industry. It will be anchored with a partnership with Cybermerc and proposed partnerships with other cyber security firms.
UniSC Innovation Director Jasmine Vreugdenburg said each lab would be underpinned by a comprehensive activation strategy, that included targeted support for startups and scaleups to develop their products, refine business models and connect with investors.
“They will be offered guidance and expertise to navigate the innovation process, from ideation to commercialisation. Workshops, seminars, and demonstrations will be tailored to connect them with UniSC’s resources,” she said.
“As well, cross-sector collaborative initiatives will bring together industry partners, researchers, and students to solve real-world problems.”
The upgrade will also establish a dedicated training facility, with upgraded audio-visual facilities for program delivery, a revitalised event space and flexible, collaborative working and meeting spaces.
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