JMR with Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge and Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education Bridget McKenzie
Advanced Manufacturing in Bendigo is set to receive a significant boost, with the Morrison Government investing $2 million in La Trobe University’s Regional Advanced Manufacturing 4.0 Hub.
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said up to ten local businesses would be able to link up with the university to help them expand, modernise and create local jobs.
“These partnerships will encourage businesses in Bendigo to innovate, make better use of technology and explore opportuities to expand globally,” Minister Tudge said.
“I want to see big ideas, breakthrough products and new business models that will grow our economy and improve our society, all coming out of Bendigo.”
“Collaboration between universities and industry provideds clear benefits for students, universities and businesses, which is why we have made these connections a key focus for our Government.”
Minister for Regional Education Bridget McKenzie said the Government investment in
La Trobe University in Bendigo was a huge win for business and research in the region.
“The Regional Advanced Manufacturing 4.0 Hub is going to help grow businesses in Bendigo and create local jobs,” Minister McKenzie said.
“The hub will help the industry partners overcome production challenges and use disruptive technology to support innovation.”
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the program is set to boost jobs and create more strategic partnerships between employers and educators.
“This vital funding is part of the Morrison Government’s $40 million Strategic University Reform Fund (SURF), which encourages innovation and greater connection between research and local industry, a hugely successful concept here in regional Victoria,” Senator Henderson said.
“A similar program in Germany created more than 15,000 jobs in the regional city of Kaiserslautern and I have no doubt Bendigo would be able to produce similar results here,” Senator Henderson said.
This is one of 10 similar projects being funded in the first round of SURF that all have the potential to be upscaled, and to improve the practical application of Australia’s world-class research.
SURF was announced in the 2020-21 Budget as part of a $1.2 billion package for the research sector. Further rounds of SURF will open in the coming years.
17 September 2021