Now and into the future, Australian universities remain critical to the nation’s economy, productivity, and living standards through the graduates and research they produce. In the past two decades, the IRU has facilitated the attainment of higher education qualifications for more than 800,000 students.
Collectively, IRU members provided employment to over 15,000 people. The economic value and productivity of research within the IRU is similarly crucial, with members more than tripling their research income and funding in two decades and contributing research that is essential to the future of Australia.
Research for industry productivity and sustainability
Murdoch University
As a lightweight, flexible, and durable metal, aluminium is an essential resource that is used in construction, transportation, electronics, and packaging industries around the world. Australia remains the world’s largest producer of bauxite — an alumina-containing ore from which aluminium is refined — with approximately 390,000 metric tonnes produced in 2021. The Solution Chemistry Group at Murdoch University has significantly improved the bauxite refinement process by developing thermodynamically consistent models that can more efficiently remove organic impurities.
Bringing technology to people
University of Canberra
Whether working with robots, sensor-enabled real or virtual environments, or artificial intelligence, the Human-Centred Technology Research Cluster (HCTRC) at the University of Canberra undertakes world-class research that places human users at the heart of technological innovations.
Advancing nanoscience for industry and research
Flinders University
The Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Flinders University undertakes focused research and interdisciplinary collaborations to form new and useful materials that develop research-driven solutions for real-world problems. Working with materials at a molecular level, the Institute combines research expertise in chemistry, physics, biology, and materials science to connect with business and industry.