Bulletin

Issue: September/October 2007

News

La Trobe and Microsoft set up new Centre for ICT innovation

La Trobe University and Microsoft have established Australia’s first campus-based Microsoft Centre, the first of three to be set up in partnership between the two organisations.

The Centre – supported by the State Government, Intel, Wacom, i-mate, and Victoria.Net – will provide cutting edge hardware and software and lower infrastructure barriers to ensure students, academics and small to medium companies have access to start-up facilities for research and product development.

La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, said the University was extremely pleased that its expertise and reputation for software research, development and information technology had attracted such important infrastructure to Victoria.

‘The facilities and activities in the Centre will focus on strategic projects, closely aligned to the Microsoft platform, encouraging the innovative abilities of our students and furthering their entrepreneurial skills and career prospects.

‘This, in turn, will contribute to economic growth through development and transfer of technology, new products and world-class skill acquisition.’

Mr Norbert Haehnel, Director of Developer and Platform Group, said Microsoft saw this partnership as a great mechanism for driving student to business linkages and an excellent opportunity for the students and faculty at La Trobe as well as for Microsoft.

‘Microsoft will provide support ranging from mentoring and access to the latest software and IT tools to seminars and workshops exploring dealing with emerging technologies.

‘We will be promoting the centre’s facilities to Microsoft partners, industry clusters and other stakeholders, opening up opportunities for students and helping local business source the next generation of IT professional,’ said Mr Haehnel.

Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Director of the University’s Centre for Technology Infusion, said:
‘This is a wonderful development. It will provide easy access to cutting edge technology to facilitate skill transfer and innovation between industry and academia in a stimulating environment.

‘Smaller companies will have access to mentoring by larger companies, and will give students and researchers exposure to industry in a supportive environment to help develop products for eventual commercialisation.’

La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion, a University-based research and product realisation facility, will manage the Microsoft Centre.