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Advanced Manufacturing Precinct opened at RMIT
Wednesday 8 June 2011.
Victorian manufacturing's leadership in innovation, research and design will be strengthened
with a new Advanced Manufacturing Precinct opened last night at RMIT University by the Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Richard Dalla-Riva. The precinct, which has been supported by a $7 million contribution by the Victorian Government, will help Victorian companies develop new sustainable products with state of the-art equipment. "The training offered at the precinct will connect with design research to be undertaken at the University Design Hub – currently under construction – mechanical manufacturing and aerospace engineering on the Bundoora campus, and textile design and technology on the Brunswick campus," Mr Dalla-Riva said. "This precinct will play a significant part in building a competitive advanced manufacturing sector for Victoria – one driven by excellence in skills, innovation, science, engineering and ICT. "Advanced manufacturing accounts for around half of Victoria’s manufacturing output and includes automotive, aerospace, machinery and tooling, medical instrumentation and new materials such as high-performance textiles. "RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct gives companies access to advanced manufacturing functions and services not available in-house, including one of Australia’s two additive manufacturing machines. "The precinct also aims to foster innovation by encouraging collaboration across sectors and disciplines while supporting a range of industry sectors; a partnership the Victorian Coalition Government actively encourages Victorian manufacturers and local education institutions to engage in. "The Victorian Coalition Government is working to ensure manufacturing businesses have greater access to new research and technologies, expanded markets and enhanced relationships with tertiary and R&D institutions. "In this year’s State Budget, the government provided $800,000 to expand the Geelong Manufacturing Council’s partnership with Deakin University and $400,000 for new Collaborative Networks for Technology Transfer," Mr Dalla-Riva said.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the university
was delighted with the Victorian Coalition Government’s $7 million contribution toward the
$13.6 million refurbishment of Building 55 to create leading-edge infrastructure in support of
practical training in advanced manufacturing.
"The precinct will deliver cross-disciplinary training to meet whole-of-industry needs by
incorporating teaching in engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies, applied
design, development, production, marketing and management," Professor Gardner said.
