Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was honoured to join with the Hon. Hendy Cowan, Chancellor of Edith Cowan University, and Professor Steve Chapman, the vice-chancellor, to officially open the newly constructed six-storey student accommodation building at the Joondalup Campus. The facility comprises 93 architecturally-designed units, which are both modern and functional, to cater for the living needs of mainly international students.

Educational services represent an important part of the Australian economy, representing our third largest export revenue earner behind iron ore and coal. The following week, Professor Daryoush Habibi, Head of the School of Engineering at Edith Cowan University, hosted me for a comprehensive tour of the engineering faculty, which covered the complete range of civil, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering disciplines. The facilities are state of the art and the learning environment is abuzz with energy.

Working in close collaboration with industry, the university has an emphasis on practical research, innovation, and commercialisation. I viewed a range of projects, including a bush fire detection system; environmental monitoring systems; and practical applications of technology involving hydraulics, robotics, materials science, and automotive engineering. Edith Cowan University is a leading institution in my electorate combining industry, science and innovation.