Initiative signals greater University-industry collaboration

Biomanufacturing and quantum technology sectors will be given a boost by the South Australian Government’s announcement of new initiatives to train and develop the next generation of researchers in these fields. This will support the connections that the University of Adelaide already has with industry partners.

A new industry-linked initiative announced today, Friday 17 February, is part of the government’s Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) initiative, which brings together the State’s universities with a range of industry partners as part of an exciting development for the State’s future.

The University of Adelaide’s Professor Carolin Plewa, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Education and Development) and Dean of Graduate Studies is leading the University’s involvement in the initiative.

“The University of Adelaide welcomes the South Australian Government’s initiative to further support future research leaders by facilitating industry-engaged research training opportunities in our innovation precincts,” she said.

“We are excited about jointly working with the other universities, government and industry partners on this as a State-wide initiative.

“This initiative will support the connections that the University already has with its industry partners in specific research areas, which are of critical importance to society and will transform peoples’ lives.”

“The University of Adelaide has a vibrant PhD program, graduating more than 400 PhD students on average each year, across a range of research areas. This new government initiative will help support existing research-intensive companies in the state, by growing avenues to link the University and industry, creating the high-tech labour force that will underpin the innovation economy.”

The University is working with a number of organisations in both quantum research and biomanufacturing. BioCina and QuantXLabs are examples of research-intensive companies that are involved in the IDTC and collaborate with the University more broadly.

“The University of Adelaide welcomes the South Australian Government’s initiative to further support future research leaders by facilitating industry-engaged research training opportunities in our innovation precincts."Professor Carolin Plewa

Biomanufacturing is a type of manufacturing or biotechnology that utilises biological systems to produce commercially important biomaterials and biomolecules for use in medicines, food and beverage processing, and industrial applications. Adelaide company BioCina is spearheading development of the next generation of vaccines.

“The University of Adelaide is collaborating with BioCina on new mRNA vaccine manufacture, and the development of vaccines that do not require ultra-cold storage and transportation,” said the University of Adelaide’s Professor Robert Falconer who is Professor in BioProcess Engineering.

PhD students will be part of a cohort working on projects co-designed with our partners, offering mutual support and peer-to-peer learning. They will have the opportunity to develop skills that will set them on an upward career trajectory including access to a wide range of opportunities alongside specific doctoral training to develop contacts at the same times as understanding business and industry imperatives.

“Industry interaction is at the heart of what we do at the University,” said Professor Plewa.

“By teaming up our PhD students to work alongside our partners across all sectors including industry and government, we equip them to be the research leaders of the future, not only in higher education but across all sectors and parts of our communities.”

PhD researchers will began training under the new initiative this year.