The two universities have signed a partnership agreement that aims to increase research collaboration, boost commercialisation activities and develop a joint PhD program.
Swinburne University of Technology and Stuttgart Technology last week signed a five-year research partnership that is expected to boost spinout activity.
The memorandum of understanding includes a range of points, from the creation of partnered and joint PhD programs in areas such as science, engineering, design, architecture and digital technologies to research collaboration in areas including advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, manufacturing and design, and carbon fibre composites.
The research collaboration is expected to leverage public and industry funding in Australia, Germany and internationally.
The two institutions will also coordinate joint research translation and commercialisation activities, including the establishment of spinouts.
Swinburne and Stuttgart also hope to collaborate with Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation on the development of research projects and PhD candidate placements at the institute for internships. This collaboration is particularly aimed at Industry 4.0 projects.
The two universities will also enable co-location of and access to facilities by staff and students on their respective campuses.
Aleksandar Subic, deputy vice chancellor, research and development, at Swinburne, said: “We are pleased to partner with Stuttgart University, which is a leading research-intensive institution in Germany specialising in science, engineering and technology with strong Industry 4.0 capability.
“Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. This agreement will enable Swinburne and Stuttgart University to develop joint government and industry partnerships in Australia, Germany and internationally, and to undertake joint PhD programs in collaboration with industry.”