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Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Brian Haggerty, the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics’ (ECM) new Deputy Dean (Community and Engagement) is responsible for encouraging greater engagement and collaboration with industry partners. On secondment from Woodside, he’s the man for the job with years of Australian and international experience and insight into how industry operates.

“As soon as I heard about the secondment role, I was keen to be part of it. Having worked for Woodside for many years, I have a good understanding of how universities can best engage with industry partners to maximise the benefit from these relationships,” he says.

“Given the Government’s focus on innovation and science, creating greater flow between universities and industry is vital. There’s already a lot of collaboration between UWA and industry but it is how we engage that needs to be readdressed. Generally, industry is not good at asking the right questions and universities are not good at understanding where their insights and imagination might contribute. In conjunction with others such as UWA's Energy and Minerals Institute, I will assist in framing that discussion.”

While Brian is responsible for looking at how ECM partners with industry, he will also be working on Faculty to Faculty engagement.

“To achieve our collective UWA goals, it’s important we think about the big picture and work together as a team. There’s a lot of great work that’s being conducted throughout the University with opportunities to better leverage collaboration,” he says.

“I’m also really interested to advance ECM’s connection with the Innovation Quarter and start-up hubs such as Bloom, and I am looking forward to working closely with these areas.”

Brian is also ECM’s focal point for EZONE and as a UWA Engineering graduate he is both professionally and emotionally invested in the multiphase project that will be the largest single infrastructure investment that UWA has undertaken since its foundation.

“The first stage of EZONE is a student hub. It’s all about enhancing the student experience and will push the limits in collaborative learning and research. The new building will feature state of the art teaching facilities, laboratories and general study and collaboration areas, and provide a world-class innovation hub for industry,” he says.

“We’re about to start the design development phase of the project and are in the process of collecting as much user input as practical. This year will see some refurbishment of existing facilities, with construction of EZONE buildings starting next year.”

“In addition to delivering ECM-focussed facilities EZONE will also provide an alternative entrance to the University and really connect that side of campus with the rest of UWA.”

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Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences — UWA Forward