VU RISE (Recover, Innovate, Sustain & Evolve)

VU RISE and the Innovation Hubs are a continuation of VU’s transformational agenda and vehicles supporting the VU Strategic Plan 2022 – 2028 and Research and Impact Plan 2023-2028 and the strategic drivers of Maximising Research with Impact, Protecting Country and Partnering with Principle.

The Innovation Hubs have been awarded $22 million of research funding from the Victorian State Government to conduct applied research in partnership with industry, community and government in the west of Melbourne to create solutions and deliver impact that will support our region to respond to the challenges of today’s world.

VU RISE provides an Innovation Hub architecture that is designed to activate opportunities through partnership development, accelerator and incubator programs to develop innovation and entrepreneurial capabilities in VU staff, students and community partner organisations.

Research within the Hubs is place-based to ensure direct impact for the West. The impact potential of the research is both immediate and longer term including: educational opportunities, policy development and application.

VU Innovation Hubs launch 2021 - Transcript

Innovation Hubs

The four Innovation Hubs address a key theme identified by our communities as critical to positioning the West of Melbourne strongly for the future. The Hubs form a network of people, spaces and services that connect research, education, government, industry partners and the community with the specific aim of creating a future that aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to create powerful synergies and uplift communities.

The four innovation hubs support translational research projects that will:

address key priorities for our stakeholders
involve partnerships with industry and communities
road test an innovation hub model as a sustainable and effective architecture for supporting large scale, co-designed, multidisciplinary, industry-engaged projects in the West of Melbourne to foundationally reshape how we do research at VU.

Sustainable Futures

The Sustainable Futures Innovation Hub focuses on responsible consumption and production practices in the water, construction and packaging industries to support the advancement of the circular economy and waste reduction.

A group of people jumping in the air against a sunset, image by Belle Co

Stronger Communities

The Stronger Communities Innovation Hub will improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of communities in Melbourne’s West.

Mortar board hats thrown in air by graduates, image from Pixabay

Education

The Education Innovation Hub (EIH) is exploring ways to improve the transition of students, into, through and out of educational programs.

Jobs & Skills

The Jobs & Skills Innovation Hub will facilitate the development and implementation of solutions to support skills and jobs growth, as well as safe and inclusive work environments in Melbourne’s West.