Swinburne and Amazon Web Services start Australian-first Cloud Innovation Centre

Swinburne University of Technology has launched its new Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC) for Australia, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon that provides cloud computing platforms and services.

The centre is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It will use innovative cloud technologies and intelligent data analytics to solve real-world health, wellbeing and social challenges affecting Australians.

Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Aleksandar Subic, says Swinburne is excited to work with AWS on this ambitious and unique venture.

“The CIC will leverage the capabilities of our Data Science Research Institute along with the expertise of Swinburne’s researchers, especially in health, social innovation and smart cities. With proven AWS innovation approaches and collaboration between AWS and Swinburne teams, we will develop new digital solutions, products and services that will be made publicly available to benefit Australians.”

Pursuing real-world challenges through research

Digital transformations in industry and society, together with rapidly growing and ageing populations and changing workforces, are creating significant challenges for society. The centre will investigate new data-driven strategies and innovative solutions to improve the health, wellbeing, future-readiness and social inclusiveness of our society.

In conjunction with Swinburne’s Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute and using AWS technology, the centre aims to develop intelligent, data-driven digital health systems to improve health care, health literacy and patient-centric support through personalised health-care solutions.

These solutions could help manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes, through the development of data-based digital health programs and mobile solutions. This would incorporate tailored real-time advice, medication guidance and support to individuals around lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Such solutions would reduce the burden on patients and service providers and would be particularly effective for elderly people living in rural and remote areas.

Professor Subic says the centre will also work with Swinburne’s Social Innovation Research Institute. For example, using data to enable residents to be more engaged in their neighbourhoods, to understand issues that are of local importance and improve the transparency of local decision-making.

Industry experience for students

The centre also brings opportunities for Swinburne students to gain industry experience. Some students, from vocational education through to PhD research, will have the opportunity to work on challenges for industry through the centre, as part of a paid, full-time work component of their studies. They will also receive extensive digital and cloud-related technical training and mentoring. 

APAC Regional Head for Education, Research and Not-for-Profit at Amazon Web Services Worldwide Public Sector, Vincent Quah, says Amazon is excited to work with Swinburne to help address some of Australia’s biggest social challenges using AWS cloud technology.

“It will pave the way for Australian organisations to work with leading education institutions like Swinburne to leverage data to create economic and social impact, transforming how the industry works to solve critical issues.”

The Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre will be located in Swinburne’s Innovation Precinct, which connects the university’s research and innovation capabilities, and is a place for staff and students to collaborate with industry, solve innovation challenges and produce commercial outcomes.

The centre is the latest addition to a global network of cloud innovation centres at universities in California, South Korea, France, Arizona and Germany, powered by AWS technology.

Find out more or submit an innovation challenge at the Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre website.

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