Published on the 17/04/2018 | Written by Jonathan Cotton
Looking to match business with academia – and do a little R&D along the way – SAP opens a Next-Gen Lab Melbourne…
The space, known as the SAP Next-Gen Lab, is in collaboration with Victoria University and aims to “create vital connections between students and industry, as well as building the digital skills needed to solve 21st Century’s business problems.”
Part startup showcase, part research hub, part on-the-job training facility, the lab will provide VU’s City Flinders Campus business students with access to SAP’s tech and sizable business network. That network consists of – according to SAP – 378,000 business and public sector customers. And that technology is SAP’s Leonardo portfolio, including SAP’s machine learning, AI, IoT, blockchain and big data capabilities. Labs are currently running across China, in the UK, Germany and the US.
“I could not think of a more appropriate institution with which we launch our first Next-Gen Lab here in Australia,” says Bruce McKinnon, head of digital business services, SAP A/NZ.
“What excites me most about Victoria University is its mission to be a great university of the 21st Century, underpinned by personalised, flexible and industry relevant learning opportunities.”
SAP’s Next-Gen labs are designed to serve as a collaboration point for corporations, governments, and non-profits looking to connect with academics and researchers, as well as startups, venture firms and the tech community in general.
The VU lab will also connect talent-hungry companies with students and graduates who have specific digital-transformation skills, matching students with SAP partners and customers. The first semester lab will see masters of ERP and business analytics students working with bottle manufacturer, O-I Glass.
“The VU lab will connect talent-hungry companies with students and graduates who have specific digital-transformation skills.”
“By opening new channels for Victoria University’s students to share and collaborate with other thought leaders in academia and industry, this partnership provides the opportunity for them to harness the technologies and innovation driving the digital transformation of industries today,” enthuses McKinnon.
“I can’t wait to see the innovations they produce.”
