La Trobe boosts digital skills with new hub

Melbourne’s La Trobe University has inaugurated a new Digital Innovation Hub in partnership with industry which aims to boost collaboration between students, researchers, business and industry.

Opened by Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney, the new precinct is a partnership with Cisco and Optus to accelerate research and development across healthcare, education, advanced manufacturing, transportation and urban infrastructure.

The hub utilises Optus’ 5G connectivity and Cisco’s Webex Hologram technology and is backed by $9 million from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund.

Tierney said: “Facilities like La Trobe University’s Digital Innovation Hub give students a chance to test and improve their skills while helping businesses to tackle real-world challenges – this means everyone involved is transforming and growing.”

Cisco’s vice president for Australia & New Zealand Ben Dawson said: “The Digital Innovation Hub offers the next wave of technologists with the latest tech and connections at their fingertips to turbocharge innovation.”

Tierney was given a demonstration of Cisco’s Webex Hologram technology which creates a live, photorealistic holographic interaction using industry-leading AR headsets.

Picture: La Trobe University