Visiting the ManuFutures at Deakin University

Strengthening Collaborations for SME 5.0 Project: A Productive Meeting with Sameer Deshpande

In a recent encounter at the ManuFutures facility, the vibrant minds of academia and industry converged to explore exciting opportunities. Driven by the shared vision of advancing Industry 5.0, the meeting was a pivotal moment for fostering collaboration.

Mr Sameer Deshpande, the esteemed manager of ManuFutures, welcomed a distinguished group of professionals. Among them were representatives from leading European universities: Michaela Golser from the Free University of Bolzano, Anika Terbuch from Montanuniversität Leoben, and Christopher Gradwohl from the same institution. Their presence underscored the global reach of this initiative. The agenda was clear: strengthening ties between academia and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As the SME 5.0 project gains momentum, these partnerships are crucial for driving innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable growth.

The visit to the ManuFutures building was awe-inspiring. It is Australia’s unique advanced manufacturing innovation hub, located within the heart of Deakin’s Future Economy Precinct, that helps businesses to accelerate success through its unique facilities, programs and services. The state-of-the-art facilities, buzzing with research activity, left an indelible impression. Mr Deshpande and his dedicated research team graciously shared insights into their ongoing projects, sparking ideas for future collaborations.