Vision

SMART's vision

It is the SMART Infrastructure Facility’s vision to be a:

• world class intellectual leader and educator in 'integrated' infrastructure planning and management;
• research and development powerhouse with an unprecedented level of impact within the broader infrastructure sector nationally and overseas.

Purpose

• To generate, publish and disseminate ideas that support greater understanding of the interconnection and interdependencies of infrastructure assets and systems to drive multi-disciplinary infrastructure research and education
• To forge a new branch of research called ‘integrated infrastructure planning and management’ to analyse the individual and combined effects of infrastructure systems and how they can better work together to serve the community
• Through deeper understanding of infrastructure systems we seek to encourage positive policy formation using reasoned arguments and intellectual rigour, converting conceptual insights into practical initiatives beneficial to governments, industry and the community.
• We seek to promote vigorous and evidence based dialogue with industry and government, and in doing so be a compelling intellectual partner in the development of the infrastructure industry in Australia and abroad.

Supporting the University's vision

SMART draws on the University of Wollongong’s proven research track record and the academic strength in the areas of engineering, commerce, informatics, law, and science to holistically assess infrastructure solutions.

The creation of SMART sits well with the University's vision “to be an international University recognised for originality and enterprise in exploring, communicating and applying knowledge to enrich individuals, their communities and the environment”.

SMART will contribute to this vision. It will also assist the University to continue its award-winning engagement with its communities.

There are four specific reasons why SMART is a strategic match with the University of Wollongong;

• UOW is consistently ranked as one of the mostly intensively focussed of Australian universities in the disciplines of engineering, ICT and science
• UOW is the best teaching university in Australia, particularly in engineering, ICT and science
• UOW is research- intensive and a serious research challenger to the GO8 universities, especially when size is taken into account. This research is concentrated in engineering, ICT and science
• UOW has a reputation for successful engagement with industry through linkage grants, commercial research, commercialisation, careers, graduate employment rates and salaries and a variety of other indicators