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Issue 133 Aug/Sep 2023 $12.00 inc. GST
From disadvantaged boys to work-ready young men: Clontarf’s success stories
Why SMEs should head to uni to test their manufacturing ideas
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by Margie Smithurst
A few minutes’ drive from Sydney Airport is the UTS Tech Lab, a world class 18,000 square metre multidisciplinary research facility for engineering and IT innovation. With a focus on bespoke industry-led partnerships in advanced manufacturing, smart infrastructure, defence and space, it’s ready and waiting for SMEs to come and use it.
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I A student in the UTS Tech Lab’s microbrewery lab Tente celebrates a century of wheels
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n 2018, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) realised two things: small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) weren’t being targeted by universities for manufacturing collaborations, and the government MAXIMUM UPTIME competitive grant environment was not growing. GREATER PRODUCTIVITY Taking advantage of a federal government Strategic University Reform Fund grant, they launched a specific industry collaboration program called SME@UTS, which included use of their first-rate Tech Lab facilities and student skills. “When you go out and talk to SMEs, they don’t
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necessarily think about universities as a place to engage with,” UTS Strategic Partnerships Director John Szabo told Industry Update. “But with a facility like UTS Tech Lab, and across the 40 or so universities in Australia, there’s billions of dollars worth of infrastructure that is being underutilised by industry. So, we’re trying to lower the barriers to engagement and bring industry in to use it. “Companies may not be able to afford to invest half a million dollars into certain pieces of equipment we have at UTS Tech Lab, but if we can establish a relationship and enable them to come in and use our facilities, whether it’s a per use or on a membership basis, that’s going to be an easier way for them to start developing proof of concepts and offers even low level manufacturing opportunities for them as well.” Since launching in May 2021, UTS says 180 SMEs have had at least one engagement with the program, 65% of whom are manufacturers. Annette Dockerty leads the project to engage with the businesses. “At a macro level, what we’re really trying to do is encourage SMEs to invest in innovation for modern manufacturing, which means improving their awareness about technologies, and making it easier... continues on page 23
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