Swinburne University of Technology
has launched its new Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC)
for Australia, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a
subsidiary of Amazon that provides cloud computing platforms and services.
The centre is the first of its kind
in the Southern Hemisphere. It will use innovative cloud technologies and
intelligent data analytics to solve real-world health, wellbeing and social
challenges affecting Australians.
Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research
and Development), Professor Aleksandar Subic, says Swinburne is excited to
work with AWS on this ambitious and unique venture.
“The CIC will leverage the
capabilities of our Data Science Research Institute along with the
expertise of Swinburne’s researchers, especially in health, social innovation
and smart cities. With proven AWS innovation approaches and collaboration
between AWS and Swinburne teams, we will develop new digital solutions,
products and services that will be made publicly available to benefit
Australians.”
Pursuing
real-world challenges through research
Digital transformations in industry
and society, together with rapidly growing and ageing populations and changing
workforces, are creating significant challenges for society. The centre will
investigate new data-driven strategies and innovative solutions to improve the
health, wellbeing, future-readiness and social inclusiveness of our society.
In conjunction with
Swinburne’s Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute and using
AWS technology, the centre aims to develop intelligent, data-driven digital
health systems to improve health care, health literacy and patient-centric
support through personalised health-care solutions.
These solutions could help manage
chronic diseases, such as diabetes, through the development of data-based
digital health programs and mobile solutions. This would incorporate tailored
real-time advice, medication guidance and support to individuals around
lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Such solutions would reduce the
burden on patients and service providers and would be particularly effective
for elderly people living in rural and remote areas.
Professor Subic says the centre will
also work with Swinburne’s Social Innovation Research Institute. For
example, using data to enable residents to be more engaged in their neighborhoods,
to understand issues that are of local importance and improve the transparency
of local decision-making.
Industry
experience for students
The centre also brings opportunities
for Swinburne students to gain industry experience. Some students, from
vocational education through to PhD research, will have the opportunity to work
on challenges for industry through the centre, as part of a paid, full-time
work component of their studies. They will also receive extensive digital and
cloud-related technical training and mentoring.
APAC Regional Head for Education,
Research and Not-for-Profit at Amazon Web Services Worldwide Public Sector,
Vincent Quah, says Amazon is excited to work with Swinburne to help address
some of Australia’s biggest social challenges using AWS cloud technology.
“It will pave the way for Australian
organisations to work with leading education institutions like Swinburne to
leverage data to create economic and social impact, transforming how the
industry works to solve critical issues.”
The Data for Social Good Cloud
Innovation Centre will be located in Swinburne’s Innovation Precinct,
which connects the university’s research and innovation capabilities, and is a
place for staff and students to collaborate with industry, solve innovation
challenges and produce commercial outcomes.
The centre is the latest addition to
a global network of cloud innovation centres at universities in California,
South Korea, France, Arizona and Germany, powered by AWS technology.