Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub welcomes industry partnerships
In October 2021, the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund contributed $3.21 million to the development of the Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub (MSMH), part of the Monash Technology Precinct with the aim of creating an environment for manufacturing innovation, new collaborations and investment. Since then, design and building development has progressed rapidly with the launch of the first stage scheduled for April 2023 and the launch of the second stage in October 2023.
Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub, Clayton campus
“The Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub is a gateway to access the university's innovation expertise and future workforce, in order to support the manufacturing sector through intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship.” explained Professor Neild who, as the Deputy Dean of Strategic Initiatives in the Faculty of Engineering, has initiated the MSMH. “Through the MSMH, we’ll address wide ranging industry challenges using hybrid programs involving both research expertise and groups of students, ensuring there is direct industry benefit through innovation and a career-ready talent pipeline for future recruitment.”
“We want to engage with businesses to reimagine their manufacturing technologies and link them with student talent and research expertise that we offer here at Monash University,” he continued. “Businesses can discover student talent through our new Innovation Internship Program (IIP) and the Industry Doctoral Program (IDP). Smart manufacturing technology encompasses a range of areas, so we’re offering businesses the opportunity to access a range of student talent across several Monash faculties including Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Pharmacy.”
Associate Professor Aldeida Aleti, Associate Dean of Engagement and Impact in the Faculty of Information Technology is excited to be involved in the Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub, particularly the engagement opportunities that MSMH will foster. “The MSMH will be the catalyst for ground-breaking future innovations and is bound to be a central place for industry engagement at Monash,” she said. “IT has an important part to play in smart manufacturing as Industry 4.0 was made possible with advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud connectivity, and real-time data analytics, which make manufacturing more efficient, and improve productivity and safety. Industry 5.0, in addition to efficiency and productivity as the sole goals, emphasises the impact on society. Being a sociotechnical faculty, the Faculty of IT is well placed to contribute to both the technological and the human aspects that will help achieve the fifth industrial revolution”
Mike Gilbert, Operations and Infrastructure Manager of the Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub, oversees all aspects of operations, working to create a seamless contract and onboarding experience for businesses partnering with us. Mike has managed operations across various industries and understands the challenges businesses face in advancing their manufacturing operations and commercialising their ideas - namely costs and resource constraints. “The Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub team are not only offering world-class research and student talent to solve industry problems, we’re coupling this with the unique offering of space licences to businesses with whom we have forged a collaborative research relationship,” Mike explained. “Monash also supports startups through the Generator program, and offers space licences to manufacturing and construction startups which the University assesses as having strong commercialisation potential.”
Collaborative space, Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub
Office space, Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub
“Startups and established businesses can set up in 1,027 sqm of leasable space including over 9 offices & 15 wet and dry labs to choose from, with additional access to meeting rooms, the Digital Twin Lab and the Robotics Lab” said Mike who has already begun talking to businesses about the best spaces and talent partnerships on offer. Businesses signed up with student programs and space leases can move into dedicated office space on Monash University’s Clayton campus in February 2023 and laboratory spaces by July 2023.
“Businesses seeking bespoke pathways to innovate and grow should talk to us now. We’ll work with you to build a program to access the expertise, talent and infrastructure you need,” explained Shankar Cumarasamy, Business Development, Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub. Enquire now
