The University has signed a new partnership agreement with PARC, a Xerox company, responsible for developing, among other things, laser printing, the Ethernet and graphical user interface (GUI).
“PARC has an extraordinary history of innovation firsts in design, human insights, computer vision, material science, robotics and security,” Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Nugent said.
“Their experience in developing and delivering breakthrough technologies is next to none, and we’re excited to bring this expertise and capacity to both La Trobe and the wider Victorian community.”
Under the MOU, La Trobe will join forces with the Silicon Valley innovators to help Australian organisations tackle their toughest challenges through technological innovation.
“This partnership combines our technological creativity and commercial expertise with La Trobe’s growing interest and strengths in data analytics, computer science and cyber security,” PARC Director of Business Development Aki Ohashi said.
“We’re excited to bring our ideas to Australia and also to learn from Australian innovators.”
The new partnership cements La Trobe’s reputation as an emerging force in innovation technology. The PARC partnership builds on a range of industry partnerships and strategic alliances with leading national and global companies like Optus, SAP and Cisco.
“The PARC partnership will build on our regional footprint, our links to industry and our research strengths – in areas like agricultural biosciences, allied health and sports performance – to demonstrate how a modern university can drive innovation and technology development for the communities we serve,” Pro Vice-Chancellor for Industry Engagement Dr Daniel Grant said.
PARC will also help student entrepreneurs transform their ideas into reality, in a new two-day workshop hosted under the La Trobe Accelerator Program.
Students will have unrivalled access to PARC’s industry expertise and world-class researchers to help them advance their ideas, conquer challenges and understand the complexities around funding and marketing.
“This will be an important step in connecting La Trobe University with the capacity for innovation that can best be sourced from global leaders like PARC – we are very proud to welcome PARC to Victoria and to introduce our students and staff and Victorian businesses to the opportunities this presents,” Dr Grant said.
Media Contact: Briena Barrett, 0432 566 014
