UTS opens Tech Lab
The University of Technology Sydney has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Tech Lab in Botany. The new $65 million campus will focus on transdisciplinary research , with particular emphasis on civil and environmental engineering, mechanical and mechatronic engineering, software, electrical and data engineering and leadership. “Over coming decades, Australian business and industry will be transformed – as will the Australian workforce. It’s critical that universities work hand-in-hand with industry to ensure we capitalise on the opportunities – and address the challenges – this presents,” said UTS Vice-Chancellor Attila Brungs. Sydney Water and Nokia have already indicated they will be running training courses out of the facility.
Smart city leadership award
Brisbane, Adelaide, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Canterbury-Bankstown have been shortlisted as Australia’s smartest cities. The cities were named as contenders for the ‘Leadership City’ prize for the inaugural Australian Smart Cities Awards to be held next month as part of Smart Cities Week. The awards will celebrate leadership and best practice in the smart cities movement. Smart Cities Awards jury chair, David Singleton said the awards will “articulate how smart cities' activities can enhance the liveability, workability and sustainability of our cities. For the first time, Australians will gain a clear idea of what leadership in smart cities looks like.”
Australians' digital trust lowest in the world
Consumer digital trust in Australian organisations has been ranked as the lowest in the world, scoring 54 points out of 100 in a global study by CA Technologies. Australia ranked behind both the US (61) and China (67). The study, conducted by Frost & Sullivan, asked consumers, cyber security professionals and executives about expectations around how organisations should protect digital data. It also found that there was a perception gap between organisations and consumers in Australia, with organisations not realising how low consumer digital trust is.
Huawei overtakes Apple in smartphone rankings
Gartner has confirmed that Chinese smartphone company Huawei surpassed Apple in sales in Q2 this year. Analyst firms IDC and Canalys have both previously reported the same findings. The Gartner report pegs Huawei with a 13.3% global market share, ahead of Apple’s 11.9% placing. Samsung topped the rankings after selling 72.3 million units to cement a 19.3% market share.
