Swinburne's latest partnership news

Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with ASX-listed NoviqTech subsidiary Coralia on a new research project exploring the development of low-carbon concrete for data centre infrastructure.

Swinburne will undertake a scoping study to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of incorporating biochar into concrete. 

Coralia uses Chinese apple tree-based biochar as a supplementary binding material in concrete.

When incorporated into concrete, biochar has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with producing new buildings and infrastructure, while also enhancing material performance and structural integrity.

The research will also examine how biochar-enhanced concrete can be used in non-structural and landscaping elements for digital infrastructure and data centre construction.

Traditional cement-based concrete accounts for approximately 8 per cent of global CO₂ emissions; in data centre developments, concrete can form up to 40 per cent of total construction materials. 

Sharad Menon, Swinburne’s Director of Business Growth Services, said the partnership is a strong example of connecting research innovation with industry leadership.

“When we partner with industry pioneers like Coralia, Swinburne researchers can tackle complex environmental challenges and help build a more sustainable future. Together, we’re co-designing the future of industry for world-leading impact,” he said.

Timothy Brooks, Managing Director of Coralia, said the partnership aligns with the company’s long-term decarbonisation strategy.

“Working with Swinburne is helping Coralia integrate our biochar carbon dioxide removal initiatives with practical, large-scale biochar applications,” he said.

“We’re bridging cutting-edge university research with the commercial concrete industry, and we are already in active discussions with major concrete suppliers to involve them in the next phase of real-world testing for biochar concrete.”

Pat Rajeev, Chair Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology, said the partnership also provides an opportunity to embed world-leading engineering expertise.

 "This collaboration and initiative demonstrate the type of collective action and innovation needed to support the transition towards achieving net zero carbon emissions," he said.

Benefits of using Chinese apple tree biochar

Invasive Chinese apple trees, a type of woody weeds, have spread across agricultural properties within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, outcompeting native vegetation, reducing agricultural productivity, and contributing to declining reef health. 

Removing these invasive weeds and converting them into biochar restores the land to productive agricultural use, providing an economic boost to the region. Biochar can also be used as a valuable and versatile feedstock for local industry and farming. 

Removing these invasive species is also expected to reduce sediment runoff into the Great Barrier Reef, supporting broader reef recovery and resilience.

Left to Right Back Row: 1. Joe Glesta, Swinburne Senior Manager, Business Growth Services, 2. Sharad Menon, Swinburne Director Business Growth Services, 3. Henry Zhou, Managing Director of OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania, 4. Dr Werner van der Merwe, Swinburne Vice-President, Innovation and Enterprise,  5. Leon Georgiou, OMRON Senior State Manager (VIC, SA, TAS), 6. Mark Allen, OMRON Senior Automation and Robotics Solutions Manager.

Front Row:  1. Professor Jiong Jin, Swinburne Associate Dean Research, School of Engineering, 2. Professor Prem Prakash Jayaraman, Swinburne Director, Factory of the Future and Digital Innovation Lab, 3. Professor Suresh Palanisamy, Swinburne Director, Manufacturing Futures Research Platform, 4. Brendan Corrie, Swinburne University of Technology, Graduate in Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics & Mechatronics) and OMRON Customer Solutions Manager, 5. Professor Emad Gad, Swinburne Executive Dean, School of Engineering.

Swinburne University of Technology will work with OMRON to advance Australia’s workforce capability through advanced automation, applied research and industry collaboration, under a new partnership. 

The partnership will support applied research, education and industry training across key areas, including robotics, AI, edge computing and next-generation manufacturing technologies.

Swinburne and global industrial automation leader OMRON will also focus on upskilling the workforce and accelerating the adoption of advanced automation solutions across the industry.

The partnership will build on a long-standing relationship of more than 15 years, which includes collaboration through Swinburne’s Factory of the Future, where OMRON technology enables hands-on learning, applied research and industry collaboration.

Swinburne’s Vice-President, Innovation and Enterprise, Dr Werner van der Merwe said Swinburne is committed to partnering with industry leaders to co-create industries of the future.

“This partnership with OMRON reflects our focus on working with industry to take new technologies to market – combining research, education and industry insight to accelerate adoption and deliver impact across advanced manufacturing and related next-generation technologies.”

Henry Zhou, Managing Director, OMRON Automation and Robotics Oceania, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and skills development.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in a partnership that has already delivered strong outcomes, with even greater potential ahead. By combining Swinburne’s research and talent with OMRON’s automation expertise, we can accelerate innovation from concept to deployment and deliver tangible outcomes for industry while strengthening future workforce capability.”

Brendan Corrie, Swinburne alum and Customer Solutions Manager at OMRON, said the partnership highlights the importance of industry-connected education.

“As a Swinburne graduate, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is to apply what you learn in a real-world environment. This partnership will help ensure future engineers graduate with practical skills that industry truly needs.”

Professor Emad Gad, Swinburne Executive Dean of the School of Engineering described it as a partnership with impact.

“By working as one team and bringing together the complementary strengths of Swinburne and OMRON, this partnership enables deep‑tech capability to be translated into the real world with applications in AI robotics. It creates a strong foundation for scalable solutions, skills development, and sustained economic and social benefit.”

Swinburne has partnered with Y Careers and BPA Children’s Services to create new pathways for young trainees in the early childhood education sector. 

Trainees will “earn while they learn”, working full time in BPA Children’s Services centres in Melbourne’s west, while completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care over approximately 18 months.

Y Careers will provide the wraparound support for young people completing the traineeship program, allowing space for BPA’s educators to focus on caring for children.

Swinburne will deliver the education component of the program through a combination of online learning, classroom training and workplace assessment.

Director of VET Health, Community, and Education at Swinburne Debbie McLaughlin says the partnership showcases the impact of meaningful industry partnerships.

“This partnership enables Swinburne to work alongside trusted partners to strengthen the early childhood education and care workforce, respond to sector needs, and create accessible, supported pathways for learners to build successful and rewarding careers.”

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can be a pathway to a diploma or a bachelor’s degree, giving trainees the option to move into early childhood teaching or centre leadership opportunities.

Anna Booth, Executive Manager, Education and Innovation at Y Careers, says the partnership with Swinburne strengthens links between vocational and higher education.

“This partnership gives our trainees access to a quality education provider while also opening pathways into university, if they choose to continue their studies,” she says. 

BPA Children’s Services CEO Tim Watts says the program addresses workforce and educator capacity challenges and encourages young people to enter the industry. 

"With workforce shortages in this sector, we think this model has scalability and legs,” he says.

Swinburne University of Technology’s alliance with the Bionic Institute (BI) has strengthened with the appointment of three Swinburne leaders as directors on the BI board.

In January 2026 Swinburne joined forces with the Bionics Institute, a world leader in medical device research, development and commercialisation.

In an important new milestone in the partnership, three leaders from Swinburne’s senior leadership team, Dr Werner van der Merwe, Vice President, Innovation and Enterprise; Professor Karen Hapgood Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, and Professor Alan Duffy, Pro Vice Chancellor, Flagship Initiatives have joined the Bionics Institute Board.

Dr van der Merwe says this next step will accelerate pathways for turning breakthrough research into real-world solutions, enabling commercialisation and impacting health outcomes at a global scale. 

“We’re excited to formalise our partnership with the Bionics Institute and forge a new approach toward value creation – one that allows us to save more lives, alleviate suffering, and together co-create the future of the medical device industry.”

Interim Chair of the Board, Hannah Crawford says the new Swinburne Directors will bring expertise in research strategy, commercialisation and transdisciplinary research to the Board, helping to propel the Bionics Institute into the future. 

“This marks the beginning of our partnership with Swinburne where we will combine cutting edge facilities, scientific expertise and resources to progress medical device innovation with the aim of improving human health,” she said. 

Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with Wholesale Investor to connect startups with real-world investor opportunities. 

Led by Swinburne’s Innovation Studio, the partnership will begin by profiling selected Swinburne-affiliated startups at the Emergence 2026 conference, and providing ongoing investment support through Wholesale Investor’s proprietary platform.  

At Emergence 2026,  Gap Drone, Eudeamon, Entromat, and Pulsetile will showcase their ventures. The conference will provide Swinburne-backed innovation with exposure to investors actively seeking scalable, IP-backed opportunities at different funding stages. 

Through the Wholesale Investor partnership, promising startups will have connections to external investors and industry, providing a competitive edge for up-and-coming ventures. Startups on the Wholesale Investor platform will also collaborate with Swinburne researchers to develop their understanding of intellectual property, commercialisation, growth and real-world impact.

Abs Seth, Director of Commercial Innovation at Swinburne , said the partnership is an important milestone as the University strengthens its entrepreneurial spirit, and would connect research innovation, investors, and strategic partners.

"The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting Australia’s innovation ecosystem and advances Swinburne’s Ad Astra_2030 vision by helping Swinburne-affiliated startups and founders access capital, expertise and networks needed to succeed globally."