Food innovation reaches new heights with innovative partnership
Murdoch University has commenced operating from the Shire of Murray’s Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA). The University, in the newly constructed Research and Development (R&D) building, will champion food innovation with specialist science laboratories, food product research and bench scale production facilities for food science and nutrition students.
Joining fellow FIPWA partner The GrowHub, Murdoch will commence delivering industry workshops and teaching activities from the precinct as early as next month.
Shire of Murray Chief Executive Officer, Dean Unsworth and General Manager FIPWA Dr Chris Vas joined Murdoch University representatives, including Associate Professor Food Science and Nutrition Vicky Solah, to officially handover the keys to the impressive R&D building.
Mr Unsworth said, “we are grateful to Murdoch University for recognising the opportunity to partner with us throughout this process which is many years in the making, and we are excited to see academics and students onsite and hear about their discoveries”.
Murdoch University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Peter Davies agreed on the significance of the partnerships.
“Murdoch University’s Food Futures Institute will lead the industry research and education program at the FIPWA Research and Development Centre. This is a major milestone for the university as it further cements its position in research translation to grow the agri-food industry.
The University will combine its world-leading research expertise in the area of on-farm agriculture with its fast-emerging capabilities in food science and nutrition putting to use the sensory labs, test kitchen and analytical labs to develop and test new product for business while training and skilling up talent for industry. Such engagement with industry will strengthen the university’s research effort that will deliver commercialisation outcomes, innovation and impact,” Professor Davies said.
These sentiments were also echoed by Dr Solah, who will be overseeing the delivery of food science and nutrition to students at FIPWA.
“Today was so exciting as we received the key for our specialist food product research and teaching facility at FIPWA.
Murdoch University food science and nutrition students will have the opportunity to work closely with local industry and specialists in food innovation to help transform local produce to nutritious and delicious food products," she said.
The precinct is expected to be functional by the end of the year, with Spinifex Brewery’s facility expected to be completed within weeks and further fit out works being progressed in the Food Technology Facility.