BREAKING: The University of New South Wales - one of Australia's leading research and teaching universities – has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dutch e-bus manufacturer Ebusco, to “…accelerate development of zero emissions transport,” the entities have announced.
The Sydney-based UNSW’s agreement with the Dutch electric bus manufacturer will bolster research and development of electric vehicles and sustainable transport in Australia, they state.
UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs, says the partnership reflects UNSW’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
“This new collaboration with Ebusco will help make significant advances in areas such as renewable energy and manufacturing – both areas of research strength at UNSW,” Professor Jacobs said.
“We are committed to taking action on climate change and to working with industry as such partnerships are key to making a positive global impact,” he explained.
Under the terms of the agreement, UNSW students and research experts will have the opportunity to work with Ebusco engineers on diverse subject areas, such as transport planning, energy storage and advanced and precision manufacturing, it’s reported. Students will have access to scholarship programmes, industry placements and internships at Ebusco’s operations in the Netherlands, China and Australia, says Ebusco. Students and staff will also have opportunities to work directly with the company’s engineers on the next generation of Ebusco’s electric bus fleets.
The MoU further strengthens Ebusco’s commitment to Australian bus manufacturing, with the company only recently announcing its alliance with Australian Bus Corp – aka Bustech, Precision Buses and Elphinstone – earlier this month.
Professor Ian Gibson, Associate Dean (Industry and Innovation) at UNSW Engineering, says the MoU presents an unsurpassed opportunity to advance UNSW research across multiple engineering disciplines.
“This partnership draws on complementary expertise and we hope it will lead to new and more efficient ways of manufacturing electric vehicles in Australia. I am looking forward to seeing the translation of UNSW’s research into commercial outcomes,” Prof. Gibson said.
A NATURAL FIT
Director of Ebusco’s Australian business Simon Pearce believes the relationship with UNSW is a natural fit.
“We were blown away by the breadth and depth of knowledge at UNSW. I have no doubt this partnership will help Ebusco continue to pioneer world-leading technology and sustainable transport solutions.”
UNSW and Ebusco say they hope to work with Transport for NSW to improve health and the environment in our cities.
The NSW government announced late last year that it would replace Sydney’s ageing diesel bus fleet with electric vehicles. It is currently calling for expressions of interest for running trials of environmentally friendly zero emission buses.
ABOUT UNSW
Kensington-based UNSW Sydney is a powerhouse of cutting-edge research, teaching and innovation, it states.
It is one of the top 100 universities in the world, with more than 62,000 students and a 7,000-strong research community.
Located in Sydney, Australia, the University was established in 1949 with a specific focus on the scientific, technological and professional disciplines, it says. UNSW is committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success, it explains.
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network, it confirms.
The main UNSW campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, 7km from the centre of Sydney. Other major campuses are Art & Design in Paddington and UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, it states.
Photography: courtesy Ebusco