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The University’s Torch Innovation Precinct has attracted $140 million in research partnerships and hundreds of projects, and remains the only model of its kind outside China.

91ɫ��Ƭ Sydney has celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Torch Innovation Precinct (Torch@91ɫ��Ƭ) ­– a flagship initiative based on the Chinese Torch innovation model that bridges academic research with high-tech commercialisation.

The partnership, endorsed by the Australian government, was established between 91ɫ��Ƭ and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of the People’s Republic of China in April 2016. Its ambitious goal was to bring the renowned Torch innovation ecosystem to Australia. Ten years on, 91ɫ��Ƭ still operates the only precinct of its kind outside China.

A celebration was held in Beijing, China, at the weekend, attended by 91ɫ��Ƭ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs, Vice Minister of MoST Mr Jiachang Chen, Australia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Mr Scott Dewar, leading 91ɫ��Ƭ academics and partners.

Prof. Brungs said the Torch program demonstrated the power of bringing world-class researchers together with industry, investors and partners to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

“When we launched Torch@91ɫ��Ƭ we had bold ambitions ­– to create a globally connected innovation ecosystem that could bridge research and industry across borders, unlock new opportunities for collaboration, and accelerate the translation of ideas into impact in Australia, China and across the world.

“Torch is a cornerstone of 91ɫ��Ƭ’s strategy Progress for All and we are excited about the next decade of discovery in our quest to improve lives everywhere,” he said. 

Mr Chen said science, technology and innovation cooperation had always been integral to China-Australia relations.

“The Torch Innovation Precinct at 91ɫ��Ƭ stands as a model of China-Australia science and technology cooperation,” he said.

“Over the past decade, through the joint efforts of both parties, the Precinct has remained true to its original aspiration of cooperation, focusing on the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation.

“We hope both sides will continue to give full play to the China-Australia Torch Innovation Precinct as a bridge in enriching the connection, expanding the scope and elevating the level of our cooperation, thereby jointly writing new chapters of win-win outcomes and shared success.”

Driving collaboration and commercial impact

Since Torch@91ɫ��Ƭ began, it has attracted $140 million in research contacts, with more than 280 projects involving more than 130 businesses from Australia, China and other countries. The key are clean energy, water and environment, health and biotech and technology.

One of the major achievements of Torch has been the founding of the (CTET) in Jiangsu Province. A joint venture with Yixing Environmental Science and Technology Park (ESTP), the Centre is accelerating the translation of 91ɫ��Ƭ technologies for water treatment, resource recovery and clean energy into commercial applications, benefiting communities in both China and Australia.

Another key initiative is a $6 million agreement with the (NICE) in the Greater Shanghai area. The program supports 91ɫ��Ƭ researchers to investigate the feasibility of commercialising their research outcomes in the Yangtze River Delta Region in China, through establishing spin-out companies there and in Australia.

Several Chinese collaborators have opened Australia-based companies, including Beijing Origin Water, China Coal Technology Engineering Group, Jinko Solar, JA Solar and Kohodo Hydrogen Energy.  

91ɫ��Ƭ Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry and Innovation, Professor Stephen Rodda, said the program’s success was thanks to an experienced team who had engaged industry and investors to fund 91ɫ��Ƭ research and commercialisation activities.

“There are many ways in which industry can collaborate with our world-leading engineers and scientists, to help to solve business challenges by jointly developing new technologies and products. These include contract or collaborative research, IP licensing, joint ventures and venture capital investments,” Prof. Rodda said.

“We are doing all these things to expedite the translation of fundamental and applied research into impactful outcomes and improving people’s lives in China, Australia and globally,” he said.