La Trobe University extends innovation partnership for additional five years

• The partnership extension with Optus will see the creation of a 5G Ideation Lab within La Trobe’s Digital Innovation Hub
• The appointment of an Academic Research Chair in Digital Health
• Cements the roadmap for three new projects valued at $26M

Optus Enterprise in partnership with La Trobe University today announced an extension to their 2016 partnership designed to support the Digital University of the Future.

The extension will see Optus Enterprise and La Trobe University collectively invest up to $6.8M over the next five years to develop a 5G Ideation Lab within La Trobe University’s Digital Innovation Hub and accelerate the digitisation of Healthcare by creating new opportunities to transform the demands and delivery models being placed on Australia’s Healthcare system.

By leveraging Optus’ technology and expertise along with La Trobe University’s deep domain in Allied Healthcare and Wellbeing the partnership will aim to undertake a research and innovation-based approach.

The launch of the 5G Ideation Lab follows on the back of the Victorian Governments’ $23M investment to accelerate research and development by start-ups and local businesses. The lab also brings La Trobe University in-line with other Optus Enterprise 5G academic collaborations, such as Curtin University.

The partnership extension will also see the appointment of an Academic Research Chair in Digital Health, who will continue to support the Optus talent pipeline through a program of Optus Scholarship initiatives in the areas of cybersecurity, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

“Optus Enterprise is excited to extend our partnership with La Trobe University for an additional five years. This is a great example of how Optus continues to lead the way in driving academic-industry collaboration by supporting the talent and skills pipeline of the future, said Chris Mitchell, Managing Director of Optus Enterprise.

“Having access to a 5G ecosystem where students and businesses can co-create will benefit the Victorian economy through upskilling and training the workers of the future.”

Dr Megan Fisher, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement), La Trobe University, said “The Optus partnership is highly valued, and by connecting across multiple areas of the university - research, teaching, workforce development and infrastructure – it demonstrates the innovation that industry and higher education can create together.”

This extension also comes on the back of Optus Enterprise and La Trobe University being awarded a cyberskills grant valued at $2.3M from the Australian Federal Government.

The partnership will also see La Trobe University work with Optus Enterprise on a number of transformational projects including upgrades to La Trobe University’s network, cloud infrastructure and contact centre valued at $26M.

ENDS

Media contact:

Optus Corporate Affairs

Ph: 02 8082 7850

E: media@optus.com.au