(From left to right: Siiri Hatakka, Research Analyst, Business Development at Everledger; Ian Cronin, Project Lead, Future of Production System Initiative, World Economic Forum Geneva; Adrian Kuah, Associate Professor, Business at James Cook University in Singapore; and Mohan Jacob, Associate Dean, Research Education of the College of Science & Engineering, and Head of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at James Cook University)

Members of James Cook University’s Circular Economy + Sustainability (CES) Program recently met with Mr Ian Cronin of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Accelerating Sustainable Production Program, to share projects that can help drive innovation and deliver more effective business outcomes.

After all, Queensland is looking to capitalise on the potential of rapid technological advances to open windows of opportunity into a global leadership in manufacturing. To help develop this potential, the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur (OQCE) arranged a series of meetings, taking place from 28 October 2019 to 1 November 2019, between representatives from the World Economic Forum and innovative startups & companies that have projects related to Advanced Manufacturing processes and the Circular Economy.

The CES Program at James Cook University (JCU) aims to develop innovative tools to measure social and environmental values. The program also aims to evaluate practical steps which businesses and governments can take to align their financial, societal and environmental goals to activities that build greater economic, social and ecological values.

The interdisciplinary team — comprising of scientists, engineers, and social scientists at JCU tri-campuses — works towards the following Sustainable Development Goals:

1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Decent work and economic growth
4. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
5. Responsible consumption and production

Dr Adrian Kuah, Associate Professor of Business at JCU in Singapore, was invited to head the JCU contingent at this meeting with the WEF. He was joined by Professor Chris Rudd OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Campus, Singapore for JCU; Professor Mohan Jacob, Associate Dean of Research Education for the College of Science and Engineering, and Head of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at JCU; and Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie, Director of The Cairns Institute.

Sharing his thoughts about this opportunity, Professor Rudd said, “This event is a great opportunity for ourselves and the manufacturing community to promote cutting-edge work, so that these ideas can receive the skills and resources to create positive change in the world.”

Together with Professor Jacob, Associate Professor Kuah showcased a number of circular economy projects to representatives of the WEF in Brisbane on 30 October. Among these projects was a noteworthy waste-to-energy research involving microwave-assisted pyrolysis.

Associate Professor Kuah, current NMC Member for the ISO/TC 323 on the Circular Economy, was recently awarded the joint winner of the JCU TropEco Award 2019 for his outstanding contributions toward addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Meanwhile, Professor Jacob received his TropEco Research Excellence Award in 2015.

Elaborating on the relationship between WEF and James Cook University, Associate Professor Kuah said, “The WEF is very interested to capture the work that we do in Queensland and Singapore as exemplars at the Forum. They will also be interested to form a working group on Accelerating Sustainable Production in Singapore towards the end of the year which we will be excited to be part of.”

Furthermore, Mr Cronin and Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur, Ms Leanne Kemp, visited Townsville on 31 October and Cairns on 1 November. There, senior members of the CES team — Professor Mohan Jacob and Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie — met them to further JCU’s interest in using technology, social science, sciences, and business to create a more sustainable future for Queensland and the world.

Find further information on our areas of research and research strength at James Cook University in Singapore here.

Check out Professor Chris Rudd’s staff and research profiles here.

Check out Distinguished Professor Stewart Lockie’s staff and research profiles here.

Check out Professor Mohan Jacob’s staff and research profiles here.

Check out Associate Professor Adrian Kuah’s staff and research profiles here.

Contacts

Associate Professor Adrian Kuah [email protected]
Media: Pinky Sibal [email protected]