Deakin University’s ‘Silicon Valley’ has received a further boost with the announcement of a partnership project with Satyam Computer Services Ltd.
Satyam will establish a software development and learning centre at Deakin’s Geelong Technology Precinct (GTP). The project, in cooperation with the Victorian Government and Geelong City Council, will create at least 2,000 new jobs in the Geelong region within eight years.
Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Walker said ‘This is a highly significant partnership. Satyam’s decision to establish its facility at Deakin will add further impetus to Deakin’s Silicon Valley’.
Under the agreement, Satyam will engage in a range of collaborative activities with Deakin including staff exchange, a work integrated learning program for students, a graduate employment program, joint research activities and scholarships and prizes.
Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor Sally Walker, said Deakin is immensely grateful to the Victorian Government for facilitating this co-location.
‘This is a highly significant partnership. Satyam’s decision to establish its facility at Deakin will add further impetus to Deakin’s Silicon Valley,’ Professor Walker said.
‘With this project, Deakin accelerates new employment in the Geelong region, including employment for Deakin’s graduates, while the Relationship Agreement creates real value for Deakin University, its staff and students.’
The announcement is the latest to expand the scale and scope of activities at Deakin’s GTP and the ‘Silicon Valley’ concept. In early 2008, Deakin announced the building of a proof of concept facility in partnership with the Victorian Government. Most recently, the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr announced that the Innovative Regions Innovation Centre for Australia would be located at the GTP.
Satyam Computer Services Ltd is a global consulting and IT services company with a presence in 61 countries. Headquartered in India, it is listed on the Bombay and New York stock exchanges and on EuroNext. Company revenue for the financial year 2007–2008 was approximately US$1.44 billion; projected revenue for 2008 is $2 billion. Satyam has over 50,000 employees globally and its development and delivery centers in the US, Canada, Brazil, the UK, Hungary, Egypt, UAE, India, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia serve 630 clients, including more than one third of the Fortune 500 organisations.