Research powerhouses join forces for manufacturing

Monash University and CSIRO will build on their shared strengths with an agreement to develop a world-class innovation precinct that aims to underpin the future of Australian manufacturing.

The strategic relationship agreement brings together one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and the national science agency to develop their shared vision for the Australian Manufacturing and Materials Innovation Precinct at Clayton.

The Clayton Precinct will harness the two organisations’ strengths to support an innovative and sustainable future for Australian manufacturing by focusing on advanced materials and clean manufacturing technologies. Through translational research and liaison with industry, it will enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

Monash University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ed Byrne, said the complementary research strengths and shared vision of the university and CSIRO would lead to exciting results for Australian industry.

“Both Monash and CSIRO have recognised the importance of developing expertise in areas such as materials science and engineering that are vital to developing innovative solutions in manufacturing. These strengths can only be enhanced by working together,” Professor Byrne said.

“I am excited by what will be achieved when the best minds in these fields are brought together and provided with world-class infrastructure in the Clayton Precinct.”

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark said the relationship is built on a shared vision and will create the global standing and scale of research and development needed to help Australian industry compete globally.

“It will help build the factories of the future,” Dr Clark said.

The agreement builds on Monash and CSIRO’s already strong record of productive collaboration. Both have invested in world-standard research infrastructure including the Australian Synchrotron and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication.

CSIRO is a collaborator in the university’s interdisciplinary research facility, New Horizons, which will open in early 2013. It is also a partner, along with Monash, Environmental Protection Authority Victoria and the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association, in the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing.

Additionally, Monash and CSIRO scientists collaborate on successful, ongoing research projects and jointly supervise PhD candidates.