A visiting senior professor form the University of Toulouse III Paul Sabatier in France is impressed with smart city Wollongong, its university and SMART Infrastructure Facility.
Marie-Pierre Gleizes spent two weeks seeing how the University of Wollongong and SMART do things.
She also participated in a SMART Infrastructure Facility seminar and interactive panel discussion with other Smart City experts. The concept is about rethinking and reshaping cities to address the needs of generations.
Prof Gleizes spoke about her work introducing a neOCampus operation to transform the University of Toulouse III Paul Sabatier into a smart and sustainable campus.
Her visit followed one to Toulouse by Senior Professor Pascal Perez a year ago.
”We talked about how we have a common interest and objectives but also how how we are different. So can learn things from each other. I like Wollongong. This is a wonderful university,” she said.
Prof Gleizes said Wollongong and Toulouse were doing the Smart Campus in different ways. Wollongong’s experience and success of working with companies was one thing they have not been able to achieve in France. She is learning how SMART interacts with business in Wollongong so they can benefit from more of that in Toulouse.
“We want more interaction with companies,” she said.
Prof Gleizes was also impressed with the accessibility to people such as Wollongong City Council general manager David Farmer.
She said one of the methods of finding solutions to being a smarter city was everyone working together.
As was applying that globally which is one reason why the two universities and their SMART facilities are going to work together more.
Prof Gleizes introduced the Digital Living Lab. The SMART and UOW initiative is about fostering innovation and connecting with communities.
The panel also discussed principles and research and development opportunities for smart cities and campuses in Australia and around the world. Questions were asked about the roles that universities, government, administration and companies have to play in this digital revolution.
Other penalists included Dr Cole Hendrigan, Prof Pierre Glize from the University of Toulouse III Paul Sabatier and Mr Farmer from Wollongong City Council.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
