I'm glad there's finally an official statement about this: along with a number of other Australian universities, and with commercial and government partners, QUT is a participant in a high-profile new Cooperative Research Centre which will get started from mid-year. The Smart Services CRC follows on from the successful Smart Internet CRC which was based at Swinburne University (and which had already run a Smart Services forum recently). Along with a number of my colleagues from Creative Industries, I'll be involved in this in some capacity...

Smart Services CRC Awarded $30.8 Million Grant

Next Generation CRC drives world class innovation and commercialisation to secure Australia's future in global digital services revolution

Sydney, AUSTRALIA, March 20, 2007 - After nearly twelve months of highly competitive bidding, a two-stage application process, and negotiations with senior representatives from an impressive list of investors, the Smart Services CRC has been awarded a $30.8 million grant from the Department of Education, Science and Training.

The grant comes under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme and is part of a total $310 million boost for the sector. Only fourteen CRCs were awarded grants nationally.

A further $68.5 million co-investment will be provided by Smart Services' 24 industry, government and research partners. This will enable the new CRC, an evolution of the Smart Internet Technology CRC (Smart Internet) to return at least $250 million to the Australian economy by 2016. It will deliver this through the commercialisation of high value mobile and on line services across key media, finance and government sectors. The Smart Services CRC will be fully operational by July 1, 2007.

The Smart Services agenda will continue to provide the same world-class social and technology research as Smart Internet, tailoring innovation to suit user needs. It will also aim to ensure Australia remains competitive in the provision of technology-driven services globally.

Neville Roach, Chair, Smart Internet said: "Services represent 82.5 per cent of GDP in Australia. This equates to $685 billion in 2004/2005, yet the sector is currently seriously under serviced by innovation. As the opportunities for domestic and export markets increase, Smart Services CRC, with its excellent calibre of partners, is perfectly positioned to help Australia seize the moment."

Dean Economou, Director - Media, Smart Internet, said: "We are especially excited about the Services Innovation Foundry, a physical and virtual space which will build a new culture of innovation. The Foundry will combine the best commercial and research skills in a place designed for fast prototyping of new services and deeper engagement with Australian SMEs."

Mike Game, Director of Emerging Markets, Fairfax Digital commented: "Australian consumers are well known as early adopters of technology. The strength and capability of Smart Services CRC in combining social and technical research will be invaluable to Fairfax Digital. It will enable us to understand audience requirements and facilitate the development of low risk prototypes for new services."

"Simon McNamara, CIO, Westpac continued: "Westpac is a current partner of the Smart Internet Technology CRC. The evolution to Smart Services aligns well with our business objectives and our focus on innovation."

Smart Services will continue to focus on the end-user, employing a strategy of commercialisation by user-led design. Its aim is to enable services innovation to secure the economic future of Australia. To achieve this outcome, six strategic research programs: 'Global Service Futures', 'User Focussed Services', 'Aggregated Services', 'Multi-channel Content Delivery', 'Trust and Privacy' and 'Immersive Collaborative Service Interfaces', will support industry developments in media, finance and government.

Smart Services CRC Participants:

University - Swinburne University of Technology, University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

State Government - NSW Department of State and Regional Development, Qld Department of Public Works, Qld Department of State Development and Trade

Industry/Private Sector - AARNet Pty Ltd, Aristocrat Leisure Limited, Austereo, Austin Health, Australian Bankers' Association, Fairfax Digital, Infosys Technologies Limited, Intel Australia/New Zealand, RACQ, SAP, Sensis, Telstra Business, Telstra Enterprise & Government, Wizard Information Services, Westpac Banking Corporation

Technorati : Australian Research Council, CRC, Smart Services, grant, research
Del.icio.us : Australian Research Council, CRC, Smart Services, grant, research