State government backs ManuFutures project

DEAKIN University has welcomed last week’s commitment from the state government to contribute to the ManuFutures project.
The $13 million centre, to be built in Waurn Ponds, will lead innovation to support the future of advanced manufacturing in regional Australia.
Once operational, it is expected to increase state output by more than $220 million annually, create more than 100 direct jobs, around another 300 indirect jobs and increase wages by $34 million each year.
ManuFutures will serve as a hub for start-up and established businesses.
In partnership with Deakin, businesses striving to harness their competitive advantage will combine their capabilities with the university’s creative imagination, industry-focused research strategies and smart business models.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said ManuFutures would house up to 15 companies at any one time.
“It will allow commercial businesses to collaborate with leading research centres including the Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training, the Institute for Frontier Materials, the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research and faculties including Health, and Science, Engineering and Built Environment.
“Deakin University is committed to the communities we serve and ManuFutures is a key part of our commitment to ensuring new industry growth and job creation, not just in Geelong, but throughout the state.
and monetised overseas, but in order to compete through a strong economy, Australia must link high technology innovation to new ideas and do so quickly and competitively.
Dimension Data systems integration services director Duncan Brown said his company’s collaboration with Deakin University would include a project to address cyber security and how it applies to Victoria’s economy in areas as diverse as public The state government’s $3 million contribution is part of its $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.
“Geelong has a strong history in manufacturing and it’s critical that we harness this expertise and develop innovative, high value manufacturing capabilities to secure the high-tech jobs of tomorrow,” Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio said.