University of Wollongong, India’s AMTZ partner on biomedical tech

The University of Wollongong and India’s Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ), the country’s first integrated medical devices manufacturing zone, are partnering to develop medical 3D printing techniques.

The university signed a strategic collaboration in Visakhapatnam, India, on Tuesday. Several research and training initiatives will be established under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will work to improve the healthcare sector with this new technology.

Wollongong was selected for its world-class medical 3D printing techniques, which will be utilised AMTZ’s mission to provide a one-stop solution covering common scientific, manufacturing and commercial facilities for medical device manufacturers and innovators.

“As a research-intensive university with internationally renowned expertise in this field, UOW is very proud to be part of this exciting new precinct that will put India on the global map of high end medical equipment production and make health care products more affordable and accessible in India but across the world,” said University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings.

The first such project already planned under the initiative is the 3D biofabrication of printed ears. The ability to 3D print ears was developed by UOW Professor Gordon Wallace, who used nanotechnology alongside organic conductors to create the medical bionics.

Wallace is lead of the team at TRICEP – UOWs Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing. The department will be the main collaborator on the project with AMTZ, providing critical input into both research and training initiatives.

Wollongong isn’t the only Australian university looking to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world to share its expertise and collaborate. In August, the University of Melbourne launched its five-year India strategy entitled, Engaging with India 2020-2024 – highlighting collaboration in health, water, law, cultural arts and postgraduate teaching and learning.

It aims to reaffirm and strengthen long-term commitments to Australia-India research partnerships, collaborative teaching, and learning models. The primary focus of these collaborations is global challenges that affect, and can bring mutual benefit for, both Australian and Indian societies.

The strategy will work across five key pillars of study: Health, water, law, arts, and teaching and learning.

According to Melbourne’s Professor Maskell, the university is committed to building on its strong foundation of partnerships in India.

“We will work to strengthen our long-standing ties and accelerate collaborations with our Indian partners to address shared social and scientific global challenges. Issues such as climate change, water management, health and food security are just some of the shared global challenges facing both countries.”