OMRON Automation and Robotics Australia and Western Sydney University enter partnership to boost innovation in western Sydney
OMRON Oceania Managing Director, Henry Zhou and Western Sydney University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of Research, Enterprise and International, Professor Deborah Sweeney.
OMRON Automation and Robotics Australia and Western Sydney University have announced a new agreement to foster innovation, facilitate and enhance joint research activities, and collaborate on their regional shared vision for western Sydney.
The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalises and strengthens the long-standing relationship between Western Sydney University and OMRON.
During a recent signing ceremony, Western Sydney University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of Research, Enterprise and International, Professor Deborah Sweeney said the signing of the MoU marked a new milestone in the establishment of ‘Shared Vision Partnerships’ between the University and industry.
“University and industry collaborations provide staff, researchers, and students with an unparalleled opportunity to create translational impact for the University, industry and more broadly with the community, through contributing to economic prosperity of the whole region. It is my absolute pleasure to work with OMRON, and we are excited to explore the opportunities our relationship may bring,” said Professor Sweeney.
OMRON Oceania Managing Director, Henry Zhou says OMRON has enjoyed a close working relationship with Western Sydney University in recent years.
“This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will further strengthen our great partnership,” Mr Zhou says.
“OMRON is committed to supporting the education sector to improve lives and contribute to a better society.
“We want to make robotics and automation more accessible and affordable for students and industry.
“At the same time, we want to encourage more young people to consider a career in this exciting field and enrol in STEM courses.
“We look forward to working with Western Sydney University on developing an innovative Factory of the Future, upskilling and reskilling the engineering workforce as well as joint R&D and complementary projects.”
OMRON and Western Sydney University share many interrelated and collaborative opportunities already, including their commitment to working in western Sydney, as well as increasing regional innovation.
The MoU marks a commitment to exploring a new phase of collaborative opportunities together over the next two years and signals a commitment to deepen their relationship across student education, professional development, innovation precinct activation, graduate opportunities, cutting-edge research and development, as well as key strategic projects both regionally and internationally.
The MoU signing was also witnessed by Don Teng, OMRON Asia Pacific Group Managing Director who remarked:
“OMRON’s Vision is designed to enrich the future for people, industries, and globally through Innovative Automation so we hope such a pay-it-forward initiative can contribute to enriching students at the University.”
“With our Automation & Robotics technology they can address social issues such as the diminishing skilled work force in Australian manufacturing. At the same time, they can pioneer the innovation in advanced manufacturing that Australia is envisaging.”
As part of the MoU, an exciting opportunity is being explored relating to an advanced manufacturing technology collaboration between Western Sydney University’s Factory of the Future, due to open in 2024, and OMRON’s Automation Technology Centres, in both Australia and overseas, to demonstrate leading edge capability developed across the western Sydney advanced manufacturing industry.
ENDS
15 June 2023
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