Flinders at Tonsley has forged some new networking connections, this time with five New Zealand universities and NZ government officials after a study tour hosted by Cisco Australia.
Visitors from Auckland University, Waikato University, Massey, Otago and Auckland University of Technology joined the week-long tour which commenced at Cisco’s high-tech new corporate headquarters in Sydney last Tuesday.
Cisco, the global internet networking company already involved with expanding Flinders’ digital campus and other innovative developments, including sponsorship of the Cisco Academy networking laboratory and digital health research chair at Tonsley, south of Adelaide.
The pace of digital change is creating challenges and opportunities for universities and governments, says Cisco Systems Australia GM, Education Reg Johnson.
“From the digital disruption and innovation that is shaping the economic transition of South Australia, to the promise of the Smart City Adelaide initiative, the role and influence of Universities in the digital economy is continuing to grow,” Mr Johnson says.
Cisco is collaborating and funding many programs in Australia’s education sector, including the Cisco Innovation Centres and STEM education program underpinned by the Cisco Networking Academy.
In South Australia, Cisco is also offering training through TAFE SA and is supporting major initiatives in cyber security.
The Cisco Academy at Flinders provides training and education in networking and cybersecurity. The Tonsley laboratory works with its sister academy at TAFE SA to offer courses towards the Bachelor of Information Technology (Network and Cybersecurity Systems).
Australia’s first Chair in Digital Health Systems, opened last year at Flinders at Tonsley, is supported by Cisco Systems and the SA Government Premier’s Research and Industry Fund.
The centre is positioning Flinders as a national and international leader in digital health systems and technologies research. It will also foster digital health university-industry alliance relationships, putting South Australia at the forefront of new commercial opportunities.