In November 2007, Minister Jacinta Allan announced that the Ballarat ICT Cluster had been successful in attracting funding through the Regional Innovation Clusters Program for Stage 3 of this important initiative for the Ballarat region.
The Ballarat ICT Cluster Stage 3 project is focusing on a number of areas that develop the international exposure and growth of Ballarat ICT cluster organisations. The budget for the project is $150,000 which includes funding support of $75,000 from the Victorian State Government, and cash and in-kind contributions from the City of Ballarat and from participants in the Ballarat ICT.
The University of Ballarat's engagement for cluster facilitation activities has been extended until September 2008.
The purpose of the project is to support a collaborative program of selective assistance and interventions that will increase the international participation and involvement of the organisations that comprise the Ballarat ICT Cluster. The proposal builds on two previous projects undertaken and the recently developed ICT 2030 strategy for Ballarat.
The Ballarat ICT Cluster is now recognised as an important driving force in the future economic development of the region. Ballarat is Victoria's leading regional ICT centre and plans to benchmark with major metropolitan based ICT clusters in terms of the scope and extent of ICT activity and growth. The Cluster drivers are the innovative enterprises and individuals who make up the ICT industry in Ballarat and the leadership provided by key institutions including the State Government, the University of Ballarat, City of Ballarat, and Ballarat ICT Ltd.
The University of Ballarat Technology Park, the Global Innovation Centre and the Greenhill Enterprise Centre host a number of ICT companies that engage in eCommerce, internet development, satellite telemetry and geographical information systems. The Technology Park is at the centre of the cluster, orchestrating relationships between the research community and businesses and providing a focal point for a number of collaborative ventures. The Technology Park also provides a supportive environment for inward-technology investment and has attracted a number of innovative national and international companies.
A recent report commissioned by a consortium of interests and funded by the City of Ballarat focused on what Ballarat had to do to become a major international force in ICT by 2012 and through to 2030. The ICT Cluster and its successful development is at the heart of this (ICT 2030) strategy. The strategy identifies a clear opportunity for Ballarat to build on its strengths and become a truly internationally recognised cluster. A program of actions is identified and these include the development of international linkages and markets for the cluster and its participants.
The third stage of the Ballarat ICT Cluster project had the following specific objectives:
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Information, training and support for local SMEs
to access international markets and participate in international supply chains. This will involve one on one mentoring, workshops and linking to state and national programs. Case studies will be developed to assist other companies understand the opportunities of a greater international focus.
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Development of research and development partnerships
within the cluster and between the cluster and potential overseas collaborators. The University and City would facilitate these developments.
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With cluster participants the identification of areas of future opportunity
(based on ICT 2030 and other research) that will provide fruitful areas for the cluster to grow and develop internationally.
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Continuation of the successful ICT Panels
as a vehicle to encourage businesses to strengthen their partnerships with education and research institutions and to accelerate uptake of new ideas.
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Continued cluster coordination
to foster opportunities for further engagement and collaboration among cluster members while also sustaining activities which have been successfully introduced. These include the Ballarat ICT Cluster and Communication System (www.ballaratict.com.au), engagement program, business intelligence and profile and marketing activities.
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An ongoing evaluation strategy
which will identify the innovation impacts of the Ballarat ICT Cluster and assess what cluster members take away from seminars, mentoring, workshops, etc. and then actually implement in their business processes.
The Stage 3 Project Team continues to draw upon the knowledge, organisational and project management capabilities of both the Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) and Centre for Regional Innovation and Competitiveness (CRIC). Participants include:
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Helen Thompson (Project Manager)
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Professor Julian Lowe
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Dr Patrice Braun
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Rebecca Lubeek and Tarryn Davies (Project Officers)
During Stage 3 Helen Thompson is continuing to act as Project Manager. Rather than focusing on a single facilitator, the University of Ballarat has opted to continue the team approach in an effort to bring a broader range of skills and experience to the project. These are drawn on as appropriate. Project Officers continue to work with the Project Team to activate the engagement program and build profile information on local capability by engaging directly with members of the Ballarat ICT Industry and regional stakeholders. The Project Officers are located at the Ballarat Technology Park to facilitate access to ICT firms and project partner support. This location allows for frequent interaction with and supervision by the Project Team.
The Project Officers work closely with Project Team members to implement the array of Cluster engagement program components including ongoing gathering of business intelligence; profile and marketing activities; and the identification of professional development and export opportunities for ICT firms.
The Project Officers main tasks are to maintain effective communication channels with Cluster members; progressively build and communicate Cluster data and intelligence; coordinate newsletters and forums; manage and maintain the Ballarat ICT directory; and provide activity reports to the Project Team.
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