QUT and CISCO announce $3m retail and logistics tech partnership

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Cisco have teamed up on a $3 million partnership to leverage technology for new customer experiences and economic resilience in retail and logistics sectors.

The partnership will fund a Chair in Trusted Retail and Logistics Innovation and will commence mid-year after a global search for a leading researcher focused on retail, supply chain, consumer behaviour and engagement, data privacy and cyber security.

QUT will also establish Innovation Central Brisbane, an on-campus innovation hub powered with Cisco technology driving research and development from collaboration and prototyping to commercialisation.

Professor Margaret Sheil AO, QUT Vice-Chancellor, said the QUT and Cisco partnership would help solve industry challenges, boost the economy, and create future workforces.

“Our ongoing learning from recent floods alone highlights the need for greater innovation and trust in the supply chain, as just one area of our retail and logistics focus,” Prof Sheil said.

“We are constantly adapting to challenges, and it has never been more important to foster strong industry partnerships to address these,” she said.

Expressions of interest are open through the QUT Centre for Future Enterprise, with industry invited to propose projects lasting three to six months.

Ben Dawson, Cisco Vice President of Australia and New Zealand, said the partnership with QUT builds on Cisco’s ongoing commitment to innovation and research in Australia.

“The partnership with Cisco and QUT will create opportunities to further advance the transformation of retail and logistics industries through utilising digital technologies, research expertise and an open innovation ecosystem,” Dawson said.

He continued that Cisco is also expanding their investment in the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN), focusing on accelerating the commercialisation of research.

“It will also advance Australia’s standing in developing ground-breaking research and innovation to solve significant industry challenges,” he said.

The partnership will see QUT joining the NIIN – a Cisco led industry and university alliance aimed at solving industry challenges through the adoption of technology solutions. It is co-funded through Cisco’s $61 million Country Digital Acceleration program.

“The NIIN alliance is working on nationally significant projects including securing critical infrastructure, connected education, net zero and sustainability, digital health, and hybrid work, to realise digital opportunities that can benefit the whole country,” Dawson said.

“The partnership will also provide opportunities for students to connect with industry experts and leading researchers to build, test proofs of concepts and rapid prototypes, developing their skills and experience to be job-ready,” he concluded.

Source: Queensland University Technology