Monash University has been awarded almost $18.7 million through the latest Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP), to establish two Research Centres and two Research Hubs to provide crucial opportunities for collaborative partnerships between universities and industry to drive sustainable futures, boost Australian productivity and guarantee sovereign research capability.
The Research Centres — two of just six awarded nationwide – were awarded $9.75 million under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centres (ITTC) scheme, and include:
- The ARC Training Centre in Sustainable and Green Economy Manufacturing awarded $4.84 million.
- The ARC Training Centre in Sustainable Materials and Responsible Technologies for Packing (SMaRT-Pack), awarded $4.97 million.
The ARC Training Centre in Sustainable and Green Economy Manufacturing, led by Professor Philip Chan of the School of Chemistry, in the Monash Science Faculty, will focus on the transformation of sustainable manufacturing in Australia and developing the next generation of industry-ready scientists.
The ARC Training Centre in Sustainable Materials and Responsible Technologies for Packing (SMaRT-Pack), led by Professor Gil Garnier of the Faculty of Engineering, will unite researchers and industry stakeholders to support the development of clearer standards around sustainable technologies and more environmentally responsible policy frameworks for packaging.
Monash University's Faculty of Engineering was also awarded $8.95 million in Industrial Transformation Research Program Research Hub grants, with two successful hubs again among just six nationwide, including:
- The ARC Research Hub for Critical Energy Separation Materials (CREST), awarded $4 million
- The ARC Research Hub in Cyber-Farming for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture, awarded $4.95 million
The ARC CREST Hub, led by Professor Matthew Hill, Head of the Department of Materials and Science Engineering, aims to develop new technologies that will lower the costs and improve the sustainability of how energy is created and transported.
The ARC Research Hub in Cyber-Farming for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture, led by Associate Professor Chao Chen, will focus on the development of cutting-edge technologies across the agricultural production lifecycle, bolstering sustainability and resilience to transform Australian agriculture.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Robyn Ward AM, said Australia has the credibility, capability and culture to become a global solutions hub. "Monash is a leader in collaboration with industry – these grants are a real testament to not only our research excellence, but our ability to partner with industry to support innovation for the benefit of the community," Professor Ward said. "Congratulations to the researchers and the Faculties of Engineering and Science on these awards."
The Australian Research Council's Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) aims to support university researchers to collaborate with industry partners in the development of sustainable, resilient solutions and futures for priority areas.
