Creating and Accessing New Knowledge

Facilitate new industry based research partnerships and programs.

Actions to 2012:

Foster greater research and development capacity within Ballarat's key industries through innovative projects which link industry, universities and research students.
Continually reappraise through a rolling 'foresight' program the emerging technologies that Ballarat ICT providers and users should be aware of.
Seek long term funding for these partnerships through Federal and State programs. Publicise early successes to encourage future involvement.

Short term actions:

Establish industry sector task forces to facilitate new industry based research partnerships and programs.
Work with government and the University to foster greater ICT research and development capacity within Ballarat’s key industries.
Work with the major industry sectors and the University to establish a knowledge partnerships scheme that locates Masters or Doctoral students in local companies to work on projects supervised jointly by the company and university.

Identify and exploit ICT niche areas where Ballarat can achieve competitive advantage.

Actions to 2012:

Develop this, possibly through a joint venture with a venture capital firm.
Expand and develop the register through a dedicated portal.
Develop specific projects around strengths that existing enterprises have around data and knowledge management and link theses with capability for research and development at the University of Ballarat. Hold regular updating sessions for local firms

Short term actions:

Set up a network of local providers who can help firms locate, negotiate with and develop collaborative arrangements with potential international partners.
Develop a ‘live’ collaborative opportunities register of local firms seeking partners outside the region and internationally. Develop a similar online register to help firms locate sources of technology and business collaboration overseas.
Build on the strengths that existing enterprises have around data and knowledge management and link these with the capability for research and development at the University of Ballarat. In particular Ballarat ICT should consult with the City of Ballarat, IBM, SRO and the major Health providers as well as interested SMEs and the University on further developing this as a focus.