Strategic alliances and partnerships

Monash University's Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Group builds and nurtures long-term relationships with industry and other organisations. Our job is to seize opportunities and forge collaborations that allow innovation to drive your business success. We work with you to build a team with complementary expertise to tackle complex challenges.

Of course, all universities want to collaborate with industry. So what sets us apart?

Very clever research

According to Times Higher Education, Monash is in the top one per cent of the world's universities. Our research has impact. This is no empty claim. In 1973, Monash researchers Professors Alan Trounson and Carl Wood achieved the world's first IVF pregnancy. Work by Monash researchers in the 1960s and 70s led to the world's first laws requiring seat belts be installed in all new cars, leading to mandatory seatbelt use. More recently, we've collaborated on development of a cheap, single-dose cure for malaria (currently in human trials), have made breakthroughs in breast cancer research and created healthy stem cells from adults. Our academics provide critical advice to government on a wide range of social matters from population metrics to sentencing laws.

A brisk walk to market

Let our researchers turn on the tap to fill your pipeline with new product and service opportunities. With our researchers as your discovery engine, working closely with your experts in product development, we help you progress rapidly from discovery through to utility.

A multi-disciplinary approach that is actually multi-disciplinary

The term 'multi-disciplinary' is bandied about a lot these days. But, at most universities, industry groups must contact the faculty they think best fits the project, then rely on it to guide them to experts in other disciplines.

That's why Monash has a division dedicated solely to industry engagement and commercialisation. Once we understand your technical, social and business goals, we handpick the people best placed to help you, no matter where they come from.

Take the Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. We wanted to consolidate all our research and development in water sensitive urban design - so we combined the expertise of our Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration with leading researchers from business and economics, arts, engineering, and science.

A long-term relationship, not just a fling

Monash and the Traffic Accident Commission have been working together on various projects since 1987 - just a year after TAC was founded. Two years ago we joined forces yet again (along with WorkSafe Victoria) to form the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research. The institute aims to reduce workplace injury and improve rehabilitation for workplace and road accident victims.

The longevity of the relationship means the two organisations are connected on many levels. Monash and TAC know how to work together and hold joint corporate knowledge. At Monash, we are in it for the long haul.

Governing well, and together

Unless it's what you need, we won't just play researcher to your businessman. We like to work with industry at all levels. We make your business goals our business goals.

At ClimateWorks Australia, for example, both the board and leadership team include Monash researchers. (We're proud of ClimateWorks, our partnership with The Myer Foundation. It developed Australia's first Low Carbon Growth Plan and won the 2010 Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change.)

Not just another academic

We don't just offer boffins. Yes, we have world-class research and development, and the pursuit of excellence is in our DNA. We also deliver impact in all its forms, from technical innovation to building your skilled workforce. We can commercialise, manage projects, consult, educate and train. We can gather resources from our many subject-specific and cross-disciplinary capabilities, facilities and platforms, our overseas campuses and centres, and our network of more than 115 partner institutions worldwide.

IBM, for example, has funded scholarships for Monash students in the IBM Future Leaders program, while we have enrolled IBM employees as part-time students in the Master of Information Technology research degree. As always, it's a two-way street.

Protecting your intellectual property

Our researchers and yours will make exciting discoveries. So we want to reassure you that if Monash co-owns intellectual property with you, and our systems make sure new IP is well protected. Of course, we'll promote our work together - we'll publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at leading international symposiums. But we will never compromise the integrity and commercial potential of our joint IP.

Working together. In the same room

The most effective communication takes place face-to-face. It might mean we come to you, or you bring your people to Monash, to make use of our clever young students and world-class facilities. Either way, we create opportunities to put our people and your people on the ground together. This is at the heart of an effective and successful collaboration.