Smart manufacturing, and research and development commercialisation at Monash, will be enhanced by a $16.12 million investment through the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF).
The investment will deliver far-reaching benefits to the Victorian community by enhancing research commercialisation, supporting the creation of future industries and jobs, accelerating the attraction of international investment, and building access to global supply chains.
Monash's leadership in advanced manufacturing, biomedical innovation and pharmaceutical sciences will deliver job growth, and drive economic prosperity for the Victorian industry and community.
The funding will support investment integration to maximise impact in three core areas across the Monash Technology Precinct by June 2022, including:
- Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC): Expansion of MMIC's presence to a new node at Clayton, allowing the scale-up of medicine manufacturing capability, and support for clinical trials and growth of exports and jobs.
- UP-LINK university partner collaboration space: A platform at the heart of Clayton campus that will drive manufacturing innovation and modernisation. This will provide industry with early access to Monash research and talent pipelines. In addition, incubator and startup facilities will support commercialisation and spinouts, enabling entrepreneurial activity across the precinct, and creating new businesses.
- oNKo-innate Headquarters: A biotechnology research and development facility to accelerate the development of cancer therapies, enabling target identification, validation, and subsequent development, manufacturing and commercialisation of cancer treatments.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said: "Monash University is pleased to receive $16.12 million through the VHESIF to drive commercial and entrepreneurial activity across the Monash Technology Precinct.
"This funding will enable the MMIC to greatly enhance process optimisation and product development, and advance medicine manufacturing and clinical trials through the establishment of a new node at Clayton campus.
"UP-LINK is an excellent example of university, government and private-sector collaboration to realise the significant innovation towards Australia's advanced manufacturing industry, and to enable job-ready graduates to secure a prosperous future for our communities," said Professor Gardner.
Director of MMIC Professor Michelle McIntosh said: "We are excited that the expansion of MMIC will allow us to engage with more industry partners, and continue our workforce development program for the medical technology and pharmaceutical sector."
Dean of Engineering Professor Elizabeth Croft said: "The UP-LINK is an important investment in Victorian manufacturing, and will fuel the post COVID-19 economic recovery.
"Internationally-competitive manufacturers must constantly innovate to improve quality and efficiency. This new collaborative platform will create a pipeline of ideas and talent, de-risking new investment in equipment and personnel, and ensuring future success," said Professor Croft.
This announcement follows the University's funding allocation through the VHESIF for its Safe and Equal @ Work and Access to Justice programs.
