(Another) great eight is set to start work on a design for the government’s National Priorities and Linkage Fund

Attila Brungs (UTS) is chair and other members are vice chancellors Alex Zelinsky (Uni Newcastle), Brian Schmidt (ANU), Helen Bartlett (Uni Sunshine Coast), David Lloyd (Uni SA), Barney Glover (Western Sydney U), Eeva Leinonen (Murdoch U) and, Deborah Terry (now Curtin U, about to be Uni Queensland), (CMM July 1).

The $900m in block grants will fund industry-institution research links, STEM student internships and graduate employment.

Another Siemens’ star

Education Minister Dan Tehan gives the illustrious eight an idea to work with, announcing $3.7m for industry 4.0 tech giant Siemens and partner universities to develop an associate degree in applied technologies.

Partners are Uni Queensland, Uni SA, U Tas, UTS and UWA.

Siemens is a poster-corporate for industry-education cooperation. MD Jeff Connolly is an adjunct chair at Swinburne U and the company has donated digital manufacturing software to unis across the country, including Uni SA, and Uni Queensland – UWA has a virtual LNG plant.

Last year Siemens, Swinburne U and the Australian Industry Group trialled an “industry 4.0 apprenticeship” leading to a diploma and associate degree.

Plus Telstra

Telstra is contributing $5.14m to an “world-leading fabrication and prototyping lab at Uni Melbourne. It is expected to be open to students next year.