Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

By advancing resilient and sustainable infrastructure and fostering innovation through collaboration, RMIT helps shape future cities and industries.

RMIT’s strong focus on scientific research and technology development within centres of excellence and with government and industry drives upgrades in Australia’s industrial capabilities. 

These efforts collectively support sustainable progress and the ongoing evolution of quality infrastructure, innovation, and technological capacity.

Highlights of recent SDG 9 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 23 MB), with our 10 years of reporting progress outlined on the Sustainability Annual Report webpage.

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2024 Case Studies

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An RMIT-led report reveals that remote First Nations communities are adversely affected by bank closures due to unreliable and expensive internet. Conducted by RMIT and Swinburne University at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S), the report was submitted to a Senate inquiry. 

These communities depend on in-person banking to manage complex tasks and prevent elder abuse, scams, and fraud. Project lead and Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas highlights the critical need for branches given poor internet quality.

 “By removing banks in regional areas, it potentially disadvantages an already vulnerable community from accessing basic necessities such as financial services, impacting their independence,” Thomas warns. He highlights the need for reliable internet infrastructure before online safety education, citing RMIT research that identifies these communities as among Australia’s most digitally excluded.

MIT University has been actively participating in the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) scheme, which fosters collaboration between industry and academia to drive innovation and solve complex challenges. Over the past year, RMIT has secured multiple CRC-P grants, highlighting its strong industry partnerships and research capabilities.

The CRC-P projects focus on developing practical solutions in various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health, and renewable energy. By working closely with industry partners, RMIT researchers have been able to translate academic insights into impactful real-world applications, enhancing technological advancements and contributing to economic growth.

This scheme not only supports RMIT's strategic objectives in research and innovation but also strengthens its reputation as a leader in industry collaboration. Through CRC-P projects, RMIT continues to play a vital role in addressing national and global challenges, while providing its students and staff with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and development.

RMIT successfully enhanced its capability to identify mega trends and future scenarios influenced by emerging technologies. 

This project involved experts across colleges to co-create roadmaps in thematic areas, fostering collaboration and engaging external stakeholders in the development of future initiatives. The main goal was to build internal strategic and technology roadmapping skills through workshops and advanced modules offered by experts from the University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing. 

One significant outcome was a virtual workshop led by Professor Arnan Mitchell on the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC) and Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNOI), aimed at developing a shared vision with external partners. 

Additionally, a technological roadmapping webinar by Dr. Clemens Chaskel and a two-day train-the-trainer workshop on bioprinting further developed roadmaps for biosolids and technology adoption, attracting diverse industry participation. These efforts strengthened RMIT's strategic capabilities and collaborative opportunities.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2024 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 253 course units and 386 research projects aligned with SDG 9 in 2024, representing a wide range of industry, innovation and infrastructure related topics. 

Other research insights are captured in the data below.

  • Course Units (Total): 253
  • Research Projects (Total): 386
  • International Research Partnerships (Total): 108
  • Publications (Total): 473
  • Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SJR (%): RMIT - 78.9 vs. Global Average - 55.7 
  • Citations per Publication: RMIT - 4.1 vs. Global Average - 2.3 
  • Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): RMIT - 1.9 vs. Global Average - 1.3
  • National Publication Contribution (%): 8.9%
  • International Collaboration (%): RMIT - 65.1 vs. Global Average - 25.3
  • Developing Country Collaboration (%): 53%
  • Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%): 28%

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 9 and the aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

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Improved Urban Systems for Liveability

This project investigates how major cities function and the effects of their land-use, housing and infrastructure systems on the humans that live in them.

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Aquatic Pollution Prevention Partnership

The aims of this research partnership between Melbourne Water and RMIT University is to help prevent aquatic pollution.

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Centre of Excellence in future Low Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)

Decreasing energy use is a grand challenge facing society. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET) is a partnership with Monash University that addresses this challenge by realizing fundamentally new types of electronic conduction without resistance in solid-state systems at room temperature.

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Creating Liveable Cities in Australia

Creating Liveable Cities in Australia is the first “baseline” measure of liveability in Australia’s state and territory capitals.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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