Cisco and UTS launch Innovation Central Sydney, expanding the National Industry Innovation Network

Cisco and The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have launched Innovation Central Sydney (ICS), marking an important milestone and further expansion of the Innovation Central Network, a major pillar of the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN). The NIIN is playing a vital role to accelerate the adoption of digital technology and to strengthen Australia’s national capability to translate artificial intelligence from research into real world application.

ICS anchors the role of UTS in the NIIN alongside other leading Australian universities; by improving the collaboration with industry and government, it is also vital to apply innovation at scale to Australia’s primary opportunities and challenges.

Situated at the heart of the NSW Government’s Tech Central, ICS provides a platform for industry and government to explore emerging technologies through innovation projects, engage with world-leading experts, access state-of-the-art facilities, and contribute to the development of the next-generation of workforce.

The partnership between Cisco and UTS builds on UTS’s established industry embedded innovation ecosystem and Cisco’s global leadership in digital infrastructure and AI. Through ICS, partners will collaborate on applied research, industry driven projects and work-integrated learning, with a focus on UTS priority areas of AI, cybersecurity, sustainable engineering and connectivity.

Two new roles at UTS have been established through the alliance. The Cisco Research Chair for Sustainable Engineering, Associate Professor Ilaria Barletta, transforms cutting‑edge research into practical, scalable solutions that advance environmental, social and economic sustainability. The NIIN Industry Alumni, Professor Andrew McLean, focuses on connecting university and industry, advancing collaborations with industry and government, offering strategic guidance to NIIN programs, and supporting academics and students.

Cisco Australia’s Regional Manager for NSW Public Sector, Georgia Jenkins said “The opening of Innovation Central Sydney is an important moment in evolving the digital agenda in NSW, bringing together industry and academia to solve real-world challenges. Evolving the partnership with UTS as part the National Industry Innovation Network is a key milestone in accelerating digitisation to promote robust communities in NSW, especially as technologies like AI become increasingly critical to unlocking a resilient future.”

UTS Vice Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Parfitt said Innovation Central Sydney positions Australia to move beyond experimentation and into largescale, responsible AI adoption.

“Innovation Central Sydney brings together the people, infrastructure and partnerships needed to translate digital innovation into real world impact. As the latest node of the National Industry Innovation Network, it strengthens Australia’s capacity to adopt AI safely, build skills at scale and deliver outcomes that benefit industry, government and the community,” Professor Parfitt said.

Innovation Central Sydney will serve as a national platform for collaboration, supporting the development of a project pipeline following the launch and positioning Australia to lead in responsible, industry embedded AI innovation.

About the National Industry Innovation Network

The National Industry Innovation Network is one of Australia’s largest industry-led innovation networks formalised with 10 Australian universities, including UTS. The NIIN was established to help Australian industry accelerate the pace of digital transformation and adoption of new technologies. Attached to $550M of project funding, 350+ industry projects completed and 3,000+ students engaged in industry-led innovation.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word ‘partner’ does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

About the University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has established itself as a leading university of technology located in the heart of Sydney’s innovation precinct. With more than 50,000 students, UTS is among the top 100 universities in the world and holds a reputation as a successful partner for research, industry and business. Championing social impact and sustainability, UTS has built a creative and innovative university with deep connections to its communities to affect positive change locally, nationally and globally.

Connect with UTS at www.uts.edu.au or on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

Photo: L-R: Ivan Chua​, Director, Innovation Central Sydney​, Alliance Manager, UTS-Cisco partnership, Georgia Jenkins, Regional Manager, NSW Public Sector, Cisco Australia and New Zealand, A/Prof Ilaria Barletta​, Cisco Research Chair in Sustainable Engineering​, Associate Professor, Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Technology Sydney, Prof Andrew McLean​, NIIN industry Alumni​, Professor of Practice.