Transcript Asia-Pacific Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Australian Centre for Innovation
Mid-Year Report 2014
Professor Ron Johnston, FTSE, FRSN
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation
Our Teaching Role
• Advanced Engineering
E
• Professional Engineering
• Management of Technology, Innovation and Global Engineering Strategy
• Supervision of >30 final-year theses
FACULTY OF
ENGINEERING &
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGIES
Digital Innovation
for Farms
• Identifies opportunities to improve productivity,
quality and income from Australian agriculture
through the implementation of new technologies
• Emphasises the need for a national strategy so
that Australian farms can take full advantage of
the capacities continually emerging in the digital
economy
• Sees great potential for the growth of a strong
agricultural technology business services sector
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation
STI Capacity on Australian Company Boards
(for the Office of the Chief Scientist)
• Little evidence that there is a severe shortage of STEMeducated directors for Australian company boards
• The more important issues may be at what level major
strategic issues with a significant technological content
are addressed
• Can more STEM-educated professionals be
encouraged to equip themselves with the necessary
experience to become valuable company directors?
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation
Capacity of Australian
Companies to Identify
and Adopt New
Technologies
• The innovative capacity of Australian companies is low by
comparison with OECD competitors
• Australian company innovation is ad hoc, based on particular
individuals and circumstances, rather than systematic across
companies and industries
• Australian companies, with a few exceptions are at best fast
followers, which provides a limited capacity for engaging with
the potential of new technology
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation
Global Study of
Social Innovation
• Social Innovation is a primary driver of
transformational change
• We are a member of the international
consortium recently awarded a 5 million Euros
EC grant to conduct a four-year study of social
innovation
• The consortium includes 15 partners from the
EU and 11 from Russia, China, India, Canada,
Australia, South Africa and South America
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation
Analysis of
Emerging
Technology
Opportunities
• Energy/food water security in the ASEAN region
– Rockefeller-funded project
• Drivers shaping the Australian electricity market
over the next 15 years
• Fostering Innovation through Future-oriented
Technology Analysis – Brussels Conference in
November 2014
Australian Centre for Innovation
Addressing the challenges of the future through innovation