The School of Engineering showcased opportunities for research-industry collaboration to around 300 visitors to its Industry Expo on November 8 2023, including researchers and industry representatives.
The School of Engineering welcomed nearly 300 visitors to its Industry Expo on November 8, including researchers and industry representatives. Vice-Chancellor, Professor S. Bruce Dowton opened the event, noting the importance of engineering to the university, as evidenced by the $150 million Science and Engineering Precinct due to open in mid-2025, which promises to be a state-of-the-art 'living lab' for discovery.
Professor Aman Oo, head of the School of Engineering, welcomed attendees with an inspiring speech highlighting Macquarie's progressive and community-engaged approach.
He cited such projects as developing photovoltaic cells for indoor light harvesting and innovative technologies for cancer diagnosis. “These are just a few examples of our contributions, which encompass areas like tactical communications technology, high-power fibres, and advanced materials in structures,” he says.
Professor Grant Hose was the MC and moderator of a panel discussion on industry-academia collaboration featuring Professor Lucy Marshall (Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering), Ms Clare Tubolets (SmartCrete Cooperative Research Centre) Dr Anumitra Mirti (Beca Group), Ms Alanna Leighton (Multigate Medical Products) and Mr Wayne Rylands (City of Ryde Council).
The Expo also showcased a range of innovative projects from the School with industry collaborators, addressing covering seven core themes including Energy and Decarbonisation, Health Technologies, and Future Communications. The projects spanned a broad range of applications, from dynamic virtual power plants and waste-to-resources thermochemical conversion, to high-performing IoT drones, human respiratory devices and artificial inner-ear hair sensors.
Professor Oo says the event demonstrated the many opportunities for industry collaboration and its importance in producing quality research and enhancing learning opportunities for students.
“We are committed to industry collaboration – not only to partner on producing quality research and timely solutions but also to support the research-teaching nexus."
This approach ensures that the academic knowledge gained is directly imparted to students, preparing them for a globally connected world, he said. Close collaboration means that industry and researchers can work collectively towards creating a safer, more sustainable, and dynamic future.