December 19, 2019

UOW to run $2 million industry hub in Nowra

Hub a collaborative environment for students, industry, entrepreneurs

The federal government has pledged $2 million for an industry hub managed by the University of Wollongong (UOW) in the Shoalhaven.

The hub, equipped with cobots and industrial robots, will provide a collaborative environment for students, industry specialists and entrepreneurs. Cobots, also known as collaborative robots, are robots designed to work safely alongside humans, augmenting the human worker rather than replacing them.

The hub, which will include a maker space, is set to position the Shoalhaven at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.

Staff at the hub will be able to provide information, training and technology demonstrations to users.

UOW Facility for Intelligent Fabrication Director Paul Di Pietro and Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan. Picture: Aristo Risi

UOW’s Shoalhaven Campus is based in West Nowra, however the industry hub is planned for Nowra, connecting with the business community in more accessible site.

The hub will be modelled off the Facility for Intelligent Fabrication in Wollongong, continuing the collaboration between UOW, TAFE NSW and Weld Australia, providing support to students and industry in the Shoalhaven.

The hub is likely to benefit agribusiness, defence and manufacturing industries, which are key drivers of the Shoalhaven economy.

UOW also hopes to partner with Shoalhaven City Council to ensure the local community benefits from the project.

Businesses can benefit from the use of facilities by upskilling their employees, or using facilities to create customised, high-value goods.

UOW hopes the industry hub will further position Nowra and the Shoalhaven as an investment location for Australian and multi-national corporations.

The pilot program will be led by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences.

The $2 million in funding provides for its first two years of operation.

The investment comes as Australia’s industries begin to adopt new digital and robotic production technologies. Collaboration is crucial for small and medium enterprises in the new wave of innovation centred on automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.

The project is one of four funded by the Federal government to enhance collaboration between universities and business that will lead to new jobs, business opportunities and productivity gains.

The funding was announced earlier this week.