Monash University is set to receive an injection of entrepreneurial energy with the imminent launch of Monash Maker Space, a collaborative hub for prototyping and innovation open to all Monash students. It will bring together students, staff, entrepreneurs, industry and academia in a dedicated space to envision, design, build, test (and break), allowing start-ups and cross-faculty student design teams to progress quickly from ideation to innovation.
The University’s entrepreneurship initiative, The Generator, will also move in to the Maker Space, bringing its strong track record of mentorship, experiential education and seed-funding programs to help Monash’s budding entrepreneurs discover their purpose, and build out their ideas and projects into game-changing start-ups and social enterprises.
The space will provide light technical work areas where students can access flexible hot-bench areas equipped with tools, materials and safety equipment. Shared specialised manufacturing areas with more advanced equipment will also be available, with relevant training provided. Established student teams such as Monash Motorsport, Monash Nova Rover and Precious Plastics Monash will work alongside emerging teams and start-ups to encourage communication, knowledge-sharing and team capacity-building.
With today’s employers demanding more than just degrees from university graduates, Monash Maker Space will foster the rapid development of student skills in product development, project management, stakeholder engagement, communication and teamwork, all with mentorship and support provided from experts drawn from across Monash’s extensive global network of industry, alumni, staff and research connections.
Dean of Engineering, Professor Elizabeth Croft, said Monash Maker Space will position creativity and entrepreneurialism at the centre of engineering design education at Monash, foster collaborations between students and staff across the University, and attract new industry and community partnerships.
“We see this Maker Space as the spiritual heart and soul of the Monash Technology Precinct,” Professor Croft said. “In this space, talent, ideas and opportunities will flow, offering game-changing new technologies capable of transforming our world.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Enterprise) Professor Ken Sloan said that Monash Maker Space will further embed entrepreneurialism and employability into the student learning experience, and advance the University’s strategic commitment to fostering an enterprising culture.
