Curtin and Optus partner to deliver 5G smart campus

Optus and Curtin University have joined forces to deliver a new 5G smart campus, with a view to ramping up 5G research and helping the technology realise its full economic potential.

Powered by the Optus 5G network, the co-investment will enable students and faculty to collaborate on 5G projects and explore the technology’s benefits for society and business.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the new partnership builds on the Optus-Curtin Innovation Alliance and serves to fosters a culture of entrepreneurship among students, readying them for the digital economy.

“The lab will give us the space to educate and conceptualise the application of the new technology and enable our students and staff to make substantial contributions to the Australian industry and economy,” Professor Terry said.

“Curtin’s new smart campus will allow students to learn new digital skills and experience the power of 5G through practical, hands-on applied research while collaborating with industry. We will also be able to better integrate emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence into our teaching and learning programs.

“Importantly the technology will enable Curtin to deliver a high-quality experience to overcome the tyranny of distance, particularly in Western Australia, for remote education, health care and other areas.”

The initiative reflects a growing trend of tech partnerships, with RMIT having recently partnered with IBM to deliver a series of 5G and IoT courses.

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