Deakin University’s technology, research capabilities, researchers and students are helping attract new industries and expertise to the Geelong region to develop high value manufacturing enterprises to secure the high-tech jobs of tomorrow and grow exports.
The Victorian Government has invested $3 million in funding for a leading manufacturing hub at Deakin University in Geelong that is creating jobs and stimulating business in the region.
The facility is the home to new and emerging manufacturing companies focussed on creating new products and driving the region’s transition to advanced manufacturing by leveraging Deakin University’s industry-focused research expertise.
The $13 million facility is expected to boost commercial returns from research for up to 15 advanced manufacturing enterprises and drive the Barwon Region’s transition to high tech, smart manufacturing.
ManuFutures will foster and attract a highly skilled, knowledge-centric workforce within the Geelong Future Economy Precinct and surrounding regional businesses.
At the launch of the project, Professor Jane den Hollander AO, Vice Chancellor, Deakin University said “ManuFutures is about stimulating innovation from companies that have got past start-up and want to go to scale.”
“Getting companies that go to scale so they get foreign and local investment and employ highly-skilled people is the next generation of advanced manufacturing for the great city and region of Geelong,” she said.
Located at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, ManuFutures already has nine companies on site, including FLAIM Systems which is developing a virtual reality training system for firefighters so they can train for a range of emergency situations without using firefighting chemicals and without the associated dangers.
The Victorian Government’s contribution is part of its Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which is driving job creation, new investment and infrastructure across regional Victoria.