Fujitsu signs on for Hi-Tech precinct partnership

Fujitsu has signed an MoU with the Victorian Government to develop a business case for a Hi-Tech precinct in Morwell.

As part of this agreement, Fujitsu will establish a service centre at the precinct as well as drive implementation of an ‘open innovation’ concept in Gippsland.

The precinct will likely be based at the Federation Training site in Morwell and be supported by an investment of up to $17 million from the Victorian Government.

“We are very excited to be working with the Victorian Government on this initiative, which will provide employment opportunities in the community while facilitating digital transformation and innovation,” said Glen Grant, VP of sales for Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand.

“This project will be one of the first of its kind in Australia and has the potential to accelerate business, research and education success in the Gippsland region.”

The partnership also includes the new Morwell Tech School, Federation University and Federation Training. The precinct will aim to promote innovation, productivity and job creation with a focus on industry sectors central to the future of Gippsland such as health, new energy, food and fibre and professional services.

Fujitsu has flagged for discussion the creation of a service centre operation in Gippsland as well as the progression of discussions around an ‘open innovation concept’, which includes high-performance computing solutions, the construction and operation of a data centre and IT service centre facilities.

The groundbreaking open innovation concept approach will take the form of an ‘open innovation laboratory’ where Gippsland’s research, business and education communities can access Fujitsu’s computing and data analytics capabilities to enhance their productivity and competitiveness. The community can also ‘opt in’ to share and cross-pollinate their raw data and subsequent research to strengthen the collective efforts of the region in improving business success and global competitiveness.

The MoU provides a framework for the joint development of the precinct site, the establishment of jobs within the precinct and for an open innovation concept to be integrated into the precinct and the Morwell Tech School. Further progression of the partnership will now depend on a business case, which will be presented in May 2017.

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