Optus and La Trobe University to boost Victoria's health and technology sector

In an innovative partnership aimed at propelling Victoria's health and technology sector into the digital age, Optus and La Trobe University have announced the appointment of Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe as the inaugural Optus Chair of Digital Health at La Trobe University.

With almost three decades of experience in education, research, and digital health project management, Professor Wickramasinghe brings a wealth of expertise to her new role within the School of Computing, Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences. 

Her appointment will play a pivotal role in providing discipline leadership to the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH), a vital component of La Trobe's Research and Innovation Precinct and a cornerstone of its vision for the University City of the Future.

Kavin Arnasalon, Head of Government at Optus, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, saying, “Since 2016, Optus and La Trobe University have partnered to drive innovation and research that prepares students for the digital future. We are pleased to build on that partnership with the appointment of Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe, who will play a key role in the Optus 5G Lab located within the Hub." 

He further emphasised the growing importance of digital health, stating, "The need for digital health will only continue as people embrace the convenience of digital options. We saw how critical it was to be able to access health services remotely during the pandemic, and we continue to see the importance digital health will play in connecting patients and communities all across Australia with clinical services. This will be a major step in providing Australians located in regional locations with the best medical service available regardless of where doctors and specialists are based."

Arnasalon warmly welcomed Professor Wickramasinghe to the team, expressing anticipation for her contributions: "I’d like to welcome Professor Wickramasinghe, and I look forward to the work she will do in leveraging technology like 5G to connect Australians across the country to get the healthcare services they need."

Image: Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe

La Trobe University Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Dodds echoed these sentiments, stating, “The appointment of Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe as the inaugural Optus Chair of Digital Health is a significant milestone in La Trobe University’s continuing collaboration with Optus."

Dodds also highlighted the potential of digital health, especially for those in regional and remote communities, saying, "Professor Wickramasinghe brings exceptional experience and passion to the role in what is a complex, fast-evolving, and impactful field. As a state-wide University, La Trobe has a strong commitment to digital health and the huge benefits it can offer, especially to people living in regional and remote communities."

A highly respected researcher, Professor Wickramasinghe joins La Trobe University from Swinburne University, where she held the position of Professor of Digital Health. Her previous roles include Professor and Director of Health Informatics Management at Deakin University, with earlier appointments at RMIT and the University of Melbourne. She has also held international positions in Germany and the United States.

Speaking about her new role, Professor Wickramasinghe expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “As the Optus Chair of Digital Health at La Trobe University, I'm enthusiastic about investigating how emerging technologies can bridge gaps and elevate healthcare accessibility across Australia. Being part of this significant partnership is an honour, as it reflects our shared commitment to driving research and innovation in digital health. Together, we're striving for a future where technology and pragmatic solutions converge to enhance healthcare for all Australians." 

The collaboration between Optus and La Trobe University, facilitated by the appointment of Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe, marks a significant step forward in advancing digital health and its potential to transform healthcare delivery for communities across Australia. It is a testament to the ongoing commitment to innovation, research, and technology-driven solutions that will shape the future of healthcare in the digital age.