La Trobe and Microsoft launch new centre for ICT innovation
La Trobe University and Microsoft will today announce the establishment of Australia’s first campus-based Microsoft Centre, the first of three to be set up in partnership between the two organisations.
The Centre, to be launched by the Victorian Minister for Information and Communication Technology, the Hon Tim Holding, is supported by the State Government and other technology providers.
The launch will take place at 4 pm, Thursday 12 July, Conference Centre, La Trobe University Research and Development Park, 2 Research Ave, Bundoora (La Trobe Melway reference J9).
The new centre will provide cutting edge hardware and software and will lower infrastructure barriers to ensure students, academics and small to medium companies have access to start-up facilities for research and product development.
La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, said the University was extremely pleased that its expertise and reputation for software research, development and information technology had attracted such important infrastructure to Victoria.
“The facilities and activities in the centre will focus on strategic projects, closely aligned to the Microsoft platform, encouraging the innovative abilities of our students and furthering their entrepreneurial skills and career prospects.
“This, in turn, will contribute to economic growth through development and transfer of technology, new products and world-class skill acquisition.”
Mr Norbert Haehnel, Director of Developer and Platform Group, said Microsoft saw this partnership as a great mechanism for driving Student to Business linkages and an excellent opportunity for the students and faculty at La Trobe as well as for Microsoft.
“Microsoft will provide support ranging from mentoring and access to the latest software and IT tools to seminars and workshops exploring dealing with emerging technologies.
“We will be promoting the centre’s facilities to Microsoft partners, industry clusters and other stakeholders, opening up opportunities for students and helping local business source the next generation of IT professional,’ said Mr Haehnel.
Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Director of the University’s Centre
for Technology Infusion and Professor of Microtechnology/Nanoelectronics,
will manage the new
La Trobe University Microsoft Centre.
“This is a wonderful development,” he said. “It will provide easy access to cutting edge technology to facilitate skill transfer and innovation between industry and academia in a stimulating environment.
“Smaller companies will have access to mentoring by larger companies
such as Microsoft, Intel, WACOM and i-mate, and will give students and
researchers exposure to industry in a supportive environment to help develop
products for eventual commercialisation.”
La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion is a University-based
research and product realisation facility.