The universities combine with Cisco and Optus to create the National Industry Innovation Network

The four will pool resources to, “act as a clearing house for immediate industry challenges, stimulate economic activity and be a vehicle for transforming digital infrastructure.” The plan is for the network to include more corporates and campuses.

The two universities have existing research links with both companies.

Cisco is especially active in developing research and teaching connections. Last year it established a chair in the Internet of Things at La Trobe U and a cyber security training centre at Victoria U. It also has partner projects at Flinders U, Curtin U and Edith Cowan U. And then there are (on CMM’s count) 22 universities with Cisco Learning Academies.