The Cisco Internet of Everything Innovation Centre (CIIC), co-founded by Cisco, Curtin University and Woodside Energy Ltd, was recognised at the Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) Research Commercialisation Awards last week in Brisbane.
Winning the category Best Creative Engagement Strategy, the CIIC was recognised for its engagement strategy with the large and small industry partners, technology companies, researchers and government agencies.
The CIIC is an industry and research collaboration centre at Curtin University. The Centre brings together start-ups, industry experts, developers and researchers in an open environment to create innovative solutions that will foster growth, provide jobs and build sustainable economies.
With a foundation in radio astronomy, supercomputing and software expertise, much of the current work at the CIIC involves leveraging data analytics, cybersecurity and digital transformation network platforms.
Professor Chris Moran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Development at Curtin, said it was a great achievement to have the engagement strategy of the CIIC recognised at the Australasian event.
“Projects developed and undertaken by the Internet of Everything Innovation Centre encourage new ideas and experimentation between researchers and clients, with a goal to create new and innovative solutions that could potentially transform current business processes,” Professor Moran said.
“Researchers must engage with clients from private industry, government, local established business and newly formed start-ups and a strong engagement strategy is essential to allow the CIIC to link in and provide services to the wide-variety of needs across these industries.”
Woodside’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Mr Shaun Gregory, said the award recognised the importance of collaboration in innovation.
“We believe collaborative innovation is the key to future growth and by working together with researchers, entrepreneurs and subject matter experts we can create a world-class legacy of technological excellence in Western Australia,” Mr Gregory said.
Kevin Bloch, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Cisco Australia New Zealand, said Cisco was delighted that this vital investment between industry and university had been externally recognised.
“Developing and driving commercial, applied opportunities is why the investment between Cisco, Curtin and Woodside is so crucial,” Mr Bloch said.
“Major international projects such as the Square Kilometre Array and oil and gas telemetry demonstrate the importance of collaboration between industry and research entities.”
In addition to the win, Curtin had finalists in the Best Commercial Deal and Best Entrepreneurial Initiative categories.
The Shutdown Maintenance Optimisation research project between Curtin and Linkforce Engineering, one of the largest engineering services companies in WA, was a finalist in the Best Commercial Deal category.
This project, recently named the overall winner at the 2016 Curtin Commercial Innovation Awards, has resulted in unique mathematical algorithms for scheduling maintenance activities in mine plant shutdowns.
Linkforce Engineering is currently developing a professional shutdown planning system based on these algorithms, and is exploring commercialisation opportunities across the mining and resource sectors.
The Curtin Accelerate program was a finalist in the Best Entrepreneurial Initiative category.
The program helps motivated individuals and teams to kick-start or accelerate their business ideas. Over a ten-week period, the program provides personalised one-to-one and group mentoring sessions; a $5,000 equity-free grant; access to networks including commercialisation experts, investors and potential partners; and workshops delivered by an industry professional, all assisting participants to help bring their ideas and businesses closer to commercial success.
For more information on Knowledge Commercialisation Australia and the KCA Awards, visit www.kca.asn.au.
