Rockwell Automation and UniMelb unveil collaboration

Rockwell Automation and the University of Melbourne have partnered to help Australian companies involved in the manufacturing and resource industry use digital tools to reach their decarbonisation goals.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the organisations to collaborate on research, develop training, and solve problems that are faced by these sectors. Rockwell will contribute engineering and product training, while the University of Melbourne’s experience with research and innovation will be used to help build solutions to issues that businesses face in dealing with decarbonisation.

Anthony Wong, regional director, South Pacific, Rockwell Automation, said: “Decarbonisation is now front of mind for Australian industrial companies. They know they must act to remain attractive to consumers and meet compliance targets, but they often don’t know how to start or where to focus their energies for the greatest returns.

“Rockwell Automation and the University of Melbourne are coming together to share our expertise and explore practical solutions to this challenge.”

Professor Mark Cassidy, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne, said the MoU meant that outcomes will be achieved that would be impossible for each organisation on its own.

“Our engineering and information technology talent and resources, and Rockwell’s capital and expertise are perfectly placed to achieve the digital transformation of Australian industrial manufacturing that is needed,” Cassidy said.

“We see this collaboration as a key opportunity to demonstrate the University’s research capabilities, while providing opportunities to enrich our students’ learning experience through industry-led challenges and access to state-of-the-art technology.”

Industrial partners expressed support for the partnership, seeing the potential outcomes as highly positive.

Anthony Bourke, General Manager, Operations, Bega Foods said: “Bega Cheese have seen the advantages of partnering with the University of Melbourne. The value of bringing together a leading, global technology provider in Rockwell Automation, with the University and industry will be of great benefit to all parties.”

Michelle Ash, Technology Executive, Oz Minerals said: “Developing strong tripartite relationships between industry, solution providers and universities, is fundamentally important to accelerating development and solving important strategic problems in vital industries.”

Associate Professor Jo Staines, Enterprise Fellow, University of Melbourne said: “Learnings from the pandemic are still emerging, but I hope we are appreciating the value of a competitive and sustainable local manufacturing industry. Striving for cost competitiveness and improved sustainability should not be seen as opposing business goals. We can achieve both — reducing waste lowers costs and improves sustainability, and likewise, integrated digital solutions can enhance market responsiveness and encourage circularity.”

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