A grant of more than $450 million to the University of South Australia will help prepare students for jobs of the future as the world transitions to the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).
The grant from global electronics giant Siemens – the largest of its kind in Australia – will be used for cutting edge software.
Students will have access to the industrial design software used to develop Space X, the Mars Curiosity Rover and Maserati cars.
The software provides programs for 3D design, engineering collaboration, predictive engineering simulation and analytics.
UniSA Vice Chancellor David Lloyd said the partnership with Siemens would provide extraordinary opportunities for UniSA students and for local industry in the State.
“It’s exciting to think that our students will soon have access to the same software used to design and develop everything from Space X, the Mars Curiosity Rover, Maserati Ghibli and other world leading innovations such as the digital shipyard for Newport News (US) where aircraft carriers are built,” said Professor Lloyd.
“Not only will it allow us to give our students experience of an industry 4.0 environment, it will also deliver huge benefits for manufacturing research at UniSA and for the industry partners we work with every day to support innovation and enterprise.”
Commitment to upskilling
The announcement was made by Siemens chairman and CEO Jeff Connolly at the UniSA’s Museum of Discovery (MOD) in Adelaide, and supported by Premier Steven Marshall, Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Professor David Lloyd, Vice Chancellor and President, the University of South Australia.
Mr Connolly said the move demonstrated the company's commitment to upskilling the next generation of the workforce, and benefits both the industry and students.
"The days where industry could step back and take finished products from universities are long gone," Mr Connolly said.
"As the world changes rapidly through digitalisation, we need to ensure that our future workforce is equipped with the right tools to speak the same global digital language."
Mr Connolly said the grant is part of Siemens’ commitment of over $1 billion in advanced PLM software grants to select universities nationally and will enable students and the University to develop the skills needed to successfully participate in the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).
Industry 4.0 Taskforce
The announcement is linked to the recommendations and work of the Prime Minister’s Industry 4.0 Taskforce – an industry led group established to support improved bilateral relations between Australia and Germany.
Today’s announcement follows last year’s grant to Swinburne University of Technology’s Factory of the Future – the first of the universities to benefit from close industrial partnerships.
Defence Industry Minister Pyne said ensuring students have skills in advanced manufacturing was critical for naval shipbuilding in South Australia.
"This new venture between Siemens and UniSA will help in creating the workforce base we will need here in South Australia to make the most of the Turnbull Government's record $90 billion investment in shipbuilding," he said.
The navy's nine future frigates and next generation of submarines will be built in Adelaide's Osborne shipyard.
