A high-powered delegation from Penang in Malaysia has toured Flinders University’s Tonsley facility during an economic development trip to South Australia.
The group, hosted in Adelaide by SA Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith, MP, was given an overview of the Tonsley site by Department of State Development Economic Development Manager Andrew Dickson, who also explained the impact being made by Flinders’ $120m innovation hub.
Professor Karen Reynolds, Director of Flinders’ Medical Device Research Institute provided a tour of Flinders’ facilities and introduce the delegation to fellow academics including; David Hobbs, who demonstrated his award winning OrbiT accessible gaming system for people with limited hand function; and Associate Professor John Costi, who showed them how the University was giving its students an edge through its hi-tech biomechanics and implants lab.
They also had the opportunity to discover the latest developments in haptic (virtual reality that you can feel) medical simulation capabilities with Dr Greg Ruthenbeck, before enjoying lunch on site with Tonsley’s latest business tenants, engineering design company Hydrix and medical device company Micro-X, both of which have recently re-located from Victoria.
The visit to South Australia aims to help government and business leaders from Penang and South Australia to unearth a range of projects and opportunities for enhanced trade and investment.
Both states are strong tourist destinations with similarly sized populations, GDPs and ambitious agendas to build entrepreneurial and innovative economies through partnerships and global supply chains with like-minded partners.
The Penang delegation to South Australia included: Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang; YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Malik bin Abul Kassim, State Exco for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs; Dato Lee Kah Choon, Advisor to Chief Minister; Loo Lee Lian General Manager, Invest Penang (IP); Ir Ang Aing Thye, Secretary of Penang Island City Council; Rashidah Jalaludin, Director, Community Services Department, City Council of Penang Island, Penang; Zuraini Binti Mat Rasit, Town Planner, Town Planning & Development Department, City Council of Penang Island, Penang; Dr Ang Ming Chee General Manager, George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI); Mr Ooi Chok Yan Chief Executive Officer, Penang Global Tourism (PGT); Mr Joe Sidek Festival Director, George Town Festival (GTF); Lim Chiew Boey Special Officer to Chief Minister (Industries, Manufacturing and Investment.