Sydney partners with government on new innovation precinct
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the establishment of a new technology and innovation precinct in the centre of Sydney spanning the area from Central to Eveleigh, taking in the University of Sydney as a key location and partner in the development.
The NSW Government has asked leaders in higher education to co-create the precinct, including the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, and industry leaders Atlassian and Fishburners, as well as industry representative body, Tech Sydney, and the Sydney Business Chamber.
This is a unique opportunity for universities, industry and community partners to work together to make Sydney a global hub of excellence and investment, enhancing the prosperity and wellbeing of the city and NSW.
Professor Duncan Ivison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, will join the NSW Government taskforce, headed by Jobs for NSW chair David Thodey, to lead the design and development of the new precinct.
“The University of Sydney is very committed to this precinct model. This is a unique opportunity for universities, industry and community partners to work together to make Sydney a global hub of excellence and investment, enhancing the prosperity and wellbeing of the city and NSW.
This recognition by the government of the University’s place as a leader in innovation is a key opportunity to showcase our research and teaching impact nationally and internationally. It also provides hands-on industry experience for our students, a key component of our reinvigorated curriculum,” said Professor Ivison.
The initiative is expected to create 10,000 new jobs by 2036 while creating a shared vision for the growth of NSW’s tech sector over the next 30 years.
As well as driving more employment and investment, the planned technology precinct will help revitalise the area and safeguard its important heritage, while generating jobs of the future.
Established technology companies, already leaders in their fields will help to build a start-up ecosystem in the new precinct, allowing for an exchange of ideas and collaboration and a wealth of industry experience.
This precinct articulates our University’s strong history of innovation spanning almost two centuries, fostering a culture of excellence and public service. I look forward to representing the University’s interests as a key player in the work of this taskforce and to reporting back on developments.
The University of Sydney is ranked in the top 75 of Asia’s most innovative universities and continues to develop scale in its research and teaching. Recent life-changing innovations from University researchers include: ‘squirtable’ elastic glue, sealing wounds in 60 seconds; 3D printers to repair bones and hearts; and a real-time monitoring patch for high-risk pregnancies.
The University also has representation in the start-ups on the taskforce including Tech Sydney founding co-directors Dean McEvoy and Kim Heras and Fishburners Board member Bilyana Smith, all of whom are graduates of the University of Sydney Business School.
“This precinct articulates our University’s strong history of innovation spanning almost two centuries, fostering a culture of excellence and public service. I look forward to representing the University’s interests as a key player in the work of this taskforce and to reporting back on developments,” concluded Professor Ivison.