Exploring the dynamic between Perth businesses and our state’s top minds
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, innovation and collaboration are key drivers of success. The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a trusted partner for industry players seeking to harness the power of academic expertise, cutting-edge research, and emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges and drive their businesses forward.
As a top-tier institution, UWA is recognised globally for its contributions to fields such as agriculture, earth sciences, engineering, medicine and psychology. By partnering with the University, businesses can tap into this wealth of expertise and leverage the world-class facilities and equipment offered, some of which are unique in the southern hemisphere. Companies also have the opportunity to engage with Western Australia’s brightest students and graduates.
Research-intensive universities, including UWA, deliver substantial benefits to their industry partners, often generating a fourfold return on investment, according to analysis by EY for Universities Australia. UWA also helps businesses capitalise on tax incentives and government funding for collaborative research and development, making it a financially sound choice.
For collaborative research endeavours and consulting services, the approach is tailored to accommodate the specific needs and budget of each business, with the potential for resource and intellectual input from both parties. The focus is grounded on addressing the unique requirements of each partner in order to deliver tangible, evidence-based outcomes.
Medela headquarters, Baar, Switzerland
A standout example of UWA’s partnership success is the 27-year collaboration with global leader Medela, focusing on human lactation research. UWA’s Human Lactation Research Group studies human milk composition and breastfeeding behaviour, leading to innovations like Medela’s Symphony breast pump with its unique 2-Phase Expression technology to mimic the baby’s natural sucking behaviour or the PersonalFit Flex breast shield for breast pumps yielding 11% more milk. These products revolutionise breastfeeding for newborns, preterm infants and working parents while shaping Medela’s evidence-based business model and product portfolio.
Cattle in WA. Credit: West Midlands Group
Another noteworthy alliance is BeefLinks, a four-year collaboration between Meat & Livestock Australia and UWA, aiming to optimise beef production systems in Western Australia. This collaboration unites various stakeholders, including producers, researchers, state departments, private companies, and processors, to enhance productivity and value across the red meat supply chain. Through this program, partners work to identify critical control points and develop evidence-based best practices, tactics and strategies for cattle management.
Green gravel Kalbarri. credit: Stefan Andrews
UWA has partnered with local company Canopy Blue to restore kelp forests in the Jurien Bay-Kalbarri area, devastated by a 2011 heatwave which released 310,949 tonnes of carbon. The research team uses an innovative technique to economically restore kelp at scale, and Canopy Blue then offers kelp reforestation credits for organisations to support the project and offset their emissions. UWA aims to abate 40 per cent of its direct emissions by 2023, with Canopy Blue currently providing offsets.
UWA is open for business. With a rich history of industry engagement and a commitment to solving the challenges of today and tomorrow, UWA is poised to be the ideal partner for businesses looking to innovate, gain a competitive edge, and create lasting impact. Join the ranks of industry leaders who have harnessed the power of academia and research to drive their business forward with UWA.
Learn more about the opportunities for businesses working in partnership with UWA
https://www.uwa.edu.au/Industry
Or contact our team of industry partnership specialists who will put you in touch with the right people: industry@uwa.edu.au
