Ideas Lab: Innovation Corridor 2015
WE ARE WESTERN SYDNEY
Located in the heart of one of Australia s fastest growing economic regions, Western Sydney University offers unlimited potential to students with the talent, drive and ambition to succeed. Western Sydney is an exciting place to be. As the nation s third largest economy and one of the fastest growing population and employment centres, it is an increasingly important, dynamic and culturally diverse hub of business, industry and innovation. With a large multicultural population of more than two million people from 170 nations, Western Sydney s global links are creating unlimited opportunities for international business, investment, education and cultural exchange. Ranked amongst the top two per cent of universities in the world, Western Sydney University values academic excellence, integrity and the pursuit of knowledge. We are globally focused, research-led and committed to making a positive impact on the communities we engage with. Your success starts here.
IDEAS LAB: INNOVATION CORRIDOR 2015 The Western Sydney Innovation Corridor is an economic development strategy developed by the University to complement State and Federal planning and investment commitments in the region. 4
IDEAS LAB: INNOVATION CORRIDOR 2015 The Corridor links the region s current and future innovation entities into an interconnected span of knowledge-driven commercial hubs. It has three crucial centres at Hawkesbury, Penrith and Campbelltown. For more information on the strategy, view the briefing document at westernsydney.edu.au/ideaslab Ideas Labs gather together University academic staff with stakeholders from industry, business, government and nongovernment organisations to exchange information with an informed audience in a supportive, ideas-driven context. Western Sydney University is committed to research that changes our region, the nation and the world. We do research with impact: industry-led, interdisciplinary and solution-focused. It has the talent, facilities and resources; but the Ideas Labs are about taking these resources out to our region listening to the people who know the right questions, people who face these questions every day. The Innovation Corridor Ideas Lab will gather together people from industry, business, government and non-government organisations to discuss and debate the main components of the strategy, any issues and how best to implement the strategy to foster real economic development for the region. Through a facilitated panel discussion with open Q&A from the audience, Western Sydney University will lead a forum that focuses on hearing from our regions greatest asset: its people. westernsydney.edu.au 5
IDEAS LAB: INNOVATION CORRIDOR 2015 The Innovation Corridor Ideas Lab DETAILS Date Tuesday 27 October, 2015 Time 9:30 am 12:00 pm Location Novotel Sydney Parramatta 350 Church Street Parramatta NSW 2150 (TBC) PRELIMINARY EVENT PLAN Expert Facilitator Dr Andy Marks Director of Strategic and Government Relations Western Sydney University FORMAT Pre-event Refreshments Welcome and introduction, overview and objectives of Ideas Lab and Innovation Corridor Dr Andy Marks Main findings of Innovation Corridor research paper Professor Donald McNeill Couch Interviews with 5 expert panellists Pre-circulated questions asked by facilitator, open floor questions, Twitter (#WesternIdeasLab) and online polling technology Summary by facilitator, including indication of next steps available to audience: white paper, meetings, stakeholder consultation Morning Tea/Networking Opportunity 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:10 am 10:10 am 10:25 am 10:15 am 11:10 am 11:10 am 11:15 am 11:15 am 6 Western Sydney University
IDEAS LAB: INNOVATION CORRIDOR 2015 Discussion Material PRE-EVENT MATERIAL All registered attendees will be sent the Innovation Corridor Brief (June 2015) and the Innovation Corridor Research Paper (McNeill, August 2015) as the basis for event discussion. TWITTER The audience will be given the opportunity to comment on the discussion using #westernideaslab, with comments displayed using twitter moderation technology. POLL TECHNOLOGY The event will include an online polling component where guests will be given the opportunity to express their views to certain predetermined questions. Twitter feed questions, polling and live results of the poll will be displayed and fed in to the discussion and event output, managed by the expert facilitator and moderated by Western Sydney University staff. PROPOSED POLL QUESTIONS: 1. What do you think should be the key industry for the Innovation Corridor? Agribusiness Meditech Aeronautical Engineering Science Education 2. What is the biggest stumbling block to the Innovation Corridor? Lack of connectivity Lack of government buy-in Lack of investment strategy Poor coordination 3. What will be the Innovation Corridor s catalytic project? Western Sydney Science Centre Western Sydney Agripark Sydney Science Park Badgery s Creek Airport Campbelltown Integrated Health Hub POSITIONING: FLAGSHIP EVENT FOR RESEARCH WEEK AND NEW BRAND The Ideas Lab initiative began as the opening event in Research Week 2014 with the Council Amalgamation Ideas Lab, attracting high profile panellists and media attention. The Labs have continued to attract regional interest and has built a sound reputation for their relevance and usefulness as a forum for stakeholder engagement. In Research Week 2015, the Innovation Corridor Ideas Lab will remain the flagship event of the series due to the importance of the Innovation Corridor strategy for the university, its regional relevance, high profile speakers and audience. For more information and other upcoming labs, visit westernsydney.edu.au/ideaslab westernsydney.edu.au 7
Contact information Dr Andy Marks Director Strategic and Government Relations Andy.Marks@westernsydney.edu.au 0428 165 084 Angelique Harslett Senior Project Development Manager A.Harslett@westernsydney.edu.au 02 9678 7073 Western Sydney University Locked Bag 1797 Penrith NSW 2751 Australia WESTERNSYDNEY.EDU.AU