Incubator Born For Centre Task
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday August 9, 2000
Wollongong University's Engineering Innovation and Education Centre has secured funding to help combat reductions in research and development in the Illawarra.
The University has secured $18,000 from the IMB Foundation to help establish a business incubator to support the pursuit of innovative engineering products and/or new technologies.
Engineering Innovation and Education Centre manager Associate Professor John Montagner said the University realised the engineering profession needed some assistance and the incubator program would include access to University expertise.
Prof Montagner said the university had also approached the Illawarra Regional Development Board and Wollongong City Council to help expand the scope of the incubator.
``What we hope to do is identify someone who has good ideas but just needs a bit of a hand," he said.
``We are also going to provide links in with the commerce faculty so we can provide them with some help in marketing and finance."
Prof Montagner said most of the projects already housed at the Engineering Innovation and Education Centre had involved input from students, which would continue to be the case.
The Centre was established to provide space for companies and individuals wanting to work with the UOW on research and development projects unable to be accommodated on campus.
It is also designed as a teaching factory, where engineering and high school students can participate in real world projects.
The centre now houses Australian Semiconductors (AS), established by Metal Manufactures Ltd, which is developing world leading super conducting technology capable of revolutionising the electricity industry. Research into suspeion systems in large prime movers is also being done.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
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