RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) Engaging with key global industry and research organisations
RMIT: Global University of Technology and Design RIIERP: Global Passport As society becomes more and more globalised, it is incumbent upon educational institutions to equip their graduates with attributes that will enable them to live anywhere on the planet as global citizens and perform competently as professionals. Professor Sylvester Abanteriba Founder and Director RIIERP Australia is 0.3% of the world s population. Broadly speaking 99.7% of activity it taking place elsewhere. We need to have a lot more of our citizens living and working in key global innovation regions learning other languages, cultures and business practices. Brain circulation is the key and RIIERP is the platform driving this activity RMIT University 2013 2
Background Career to date BEng Optical Engineering La Trobe University Graduated 1993 PhD Nano-Photonic Devices, La Trobe and ANU Universities submitted 2000 Specialised Photonic Waveguide CAD software (3 people) est. 1998 Lead customers British Telecom and Telstra R&D Labs Photonics CRC Merged with VPIphotonics. Melbourne based CAD software company for simulating point to point telco networks ( 12 people ) Merged with BNED a Berlin based company and secured 28million Euro VC Buyout network simulation section of Siemens and relocate to Munich, Germany 2001 (220 people) offices in Melbourne, Singapore, Minsk, Munich, Berlin, London, New Jersey (NYC), Richardson Texas and San Franciso. 24/7 follow the sun solution in product development, service and delivery. Global company still running profitably today. Group leader BMW Research and Innovation centre Munich Germany Nano Probe for ESA Mars Mission 2006 return to Australia to focus on commercialisation, R&D and start ups 2010 RMIT University. Why? The next generation and plugging RMIT into the global innovation system! RMIT University 2013 3
Example of linking up with major global international research players German Aerospace Centre (DLR) RMIT University 2013 4
DLR Road Map of Fire Satellite technology BIRD launch on 22 October 2001 TET-IR launched on 06/2013 FiReS / BIRD-NG Launch mid 2014 Germans Fire Observation Satellite Road Map 300m Euro Program Goal: user shall get any 6 hours updated GIS fire data RMIT University 2013 5
The Technology in Action On Board: Processing & Hot spot detection, Determination of Fire Parameters Early Warning Detection 2-4 mins (real time component) Detection Capabilities Night 4 m 2 Day 12 m 2 Sydney Bushfires 2002 Geo-referenced data that can be overlayed into already existing systems being used by fire agencies. RMIT University 2013 6
Internationalisation of Research Pilot Project: German Aerospace Centre Example of leveraging on major international research organisation Mid 2010 devised strategy to partner with German Aerospace Center (DLR). The DLR has 7500 personnel, a 2 billion Euro budget, are the biggest funding partner of the European Space Agency and have 33 R&D Institutes across aerospace, transport, and energy. September 2010 officially approached Head of Space of DLR to enter into jointly identified activities of common R&D strength. The field of Remote Sensing Geomatics was selected. R&I identified project to engage in and identified key RMIT researchers. September 2010 It was agreed to jointly host an advanced summer school in remote sensing during February 2011 leading to identification of joint R&D projects. Advanced summer school was a success which has led to the DLR offering an RMIT Masters student a 3-4 year paid PhD position onsite in Berlin. PhD to be awarded by RMIT with lead supervisor. RMIT-DLR will jointly host the summer school at RMIT for the next 5 years. The above resulted in a joint submission to Australian Space Research Program (ASRP) mid 2011. We requested $3.1m, over two years, from the Federal Government of a $16m project. Near Miss. RMIT led a consortium of Lockheed Martin US and Australia, DLR, CSIRO, Geosciecne Australia, Queensland University and UNSW. 3 Advanced Summer Schools later we have just been accepted into a funding program of the new Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Institute that will result in funding for 2-4 researchers for the next 3 years which should bring in at least $1m AUD research income. More to come and it continues to mature and increase in mutual benefits! RMIT University 2013 7
Internationalisation of Research Where to start? Suggested course of action: Conduct a situational awareness analysis of your field of research (Mind Map). How does it align: internally with RMIT current activities and strategic goals Strategic Plan Transforming the Future: 2015 (Global, Urban & Connected) Research and Innovation Plan 2011-2015 RMIT Internationalisation Plan 2011 2015 Who is who in the zoo? Key Colleges, Schools, Research Institutes, Research Centres & Portfolios (R&I and I&D) externally with the global activity footprint Which countries, cities and regions are the most fertile locations to connect with? Which internationally renowned research groups do I want to connect with? How does this overlap with my internal situational awareness analysis? RMIT University 2013 8
Internationalisation of Research Support Schemes Internal and External for ECR When you have identified where you want to go and who you want to connect with then identify and meet with: Schools, Research Institutes, Research Centres and Key Researchers for Internal funding for travel inbound and outbound College for travel inbound and outbound and other support R&I ( Research Support Services and Research Collaboration and Partnerships) Researcher Mobility Funds ATN DAAD Bi-lateral agreements (Aus-China, Aus-Germany, Aus-India, Aus- Canada) Targeted initiatives with key International Partners Salford UK, City of Karlsruhe GEElab, Hyderabad India ICT Major partnerships and initiatives RMIT University 2013 9
Internationalisation of Research Support Schemes Internal and External for ECR (Part 2) When you have identified where you want to go and who you want to connect with then identify and meet with: I&D (International Relations) Delegations inbound and outbound Strategy advice on key countries, regions and cities of RMIT interest Working Groups (Tianjin China, Latin America, Europe etc) MOUs RMIT University 2013 10
Examples of Significant International Research Activities and Opportunities IICT - Hyderabad India, Applied Sciences ABB - Bangalore India, CS&IT, eresearch GEElab - Karlsruhe Germany, Media and Communications UN Global Compact Cities Program - Porto Alegre Brazil, GCRI Sagrada Familia - Barcelona Spain, Design Research Institute EU PhD Program - St Lucas School of Architecture Ghent, Belgium Various Universities - Tianjin China Media City - Salford United Kingdom, Media and Comms, Centre for Design Joint PhD Program - FH Aachen, Aachen Germany RMIT University 2013 11
Partnering with Governments Gaming & Experimental Entertainment Lab. (GEElab) Karlsruhe - Germany GEElab - a creative think & design tank for games and entertainment Research node developed in partnership with organisations in Karlsruhe : City of Karlsruhe Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design High.Tech.Entrepreneur Network CyberForum e.v. Karlsruhe RMIT PhD students and postdocs work alongside German partners on research projects associated with GEElab. PhD and Researcher exchange between Germany and Australia Leverages reputation and relationships of Dr Steffen Walz VC Senior Research Fellow The partnership supports $379k Audi Urban Futures research project around mobility in the city and the car of the future Established 1 March 2012 RMIT University 2013 12
Partnering with Multinational Companies Australia-India Research Centre for Automation Software Eng. (AICAUSE) Collaboration with ABB Australia, ABB Corporate Research Centre (CRC) and Global Industries and Services in India to develop AICAUSE at RMIT and establish a corporate research footprint at ABB's facility in Notting Hill. Research laboratories at RMIT City campus, ABB Notting Hill and ABB Bangalore, India, will be linked to form a virtual R&D laboratory supporting joint industry research collaboration PhD and Researcher exchange between India and Australia ABB Australia establish new centre of excellent for automation and robotics in Melbourne Established July 2012 RMIT University 2013 13
Partnering with Multinational Companies AICAUSE Benefits to RMIT support ABB Australia and other businesses in industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy generation and distribution, utilities, building automation and mining and natural resources develop engineering solutions by combining software engineering expertise with other multi-disciplinary research strengths at RMIT provide new pathways for RMIT students strengthen existing research ties with India RMIT University 2013 14