From Wagga to Sydney: NSW researchers shape the future of farming in Australia

NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) delegates have visited Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus to officially welcome the University as the Network's newest member.

Hosted by Charles Sturt University and joined by the NSSN Ambassadors and Coordinators from across the Network, the visit featured a series of meetings, including a smart sensing showcase by Charles Sturt researchers and a tour of the University’s world-leading facilities.

Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Michael Friend said: “We were delighted to welcome delegates from the NSSN to Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus that is home to the Gulbali Institute, a leader in developing impactful integrated solutions for agriculture, water and environment.

Image: Professor Michael Friend Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) .

“Grounded in Charles Sturt’s footprint across the Murray-Darling Basin, the Gulbali Institute emphasises return on investment to increase productivity for farmers, improve natural environments, and reduce risk in agricultural and environmental management.”

“Charles Sturt’s Global Digital Farm (GDF) is Australia’s first fully-automated commercial farm, created in partnership with the Food Agility CRC. The Farm will develop and operate fully autonomous machinery, artificial intelligence informing management decisions, new sensor technologies measuring the interactions between plants, soils and animals, and evidence-based sustainability practices and models, including carbon management models.

“We’re hosting a two-day Digital Agrifood Summit starting 1 June 2022 that provides a great opportunity to learn more about the GDF and have an up-close and practical look at the digital trends and technologies that are transforming Australian agriculture.”

NSSN COO Nick Haskins said: “We are delighted that Charles Sturt University has joined the NSSN. Not only do they expand the Network’s reach into regional NSW but they bring great research strength in agriculture, water and the environment, boosting our capability to address our Grand Challenges in water and bushfires.”

NSSN Ambassador at Charles Sturt University Dr Muhammad Arif Khan said: “The NSSN has a track record in activating and delivering cross-institutional, multidisciplinary projects in partnership with industry and government. With a unique understanding of our regions, our world-leading experts will be well-positioned to support the Network in its vision to position NSW as a recognised global leader in smart sensing.” 

By joining the NSSN, Charles Sturt researchers will collaborate with researchers from across NSSN member universities — the Australian National University, University of Sydney, UNSW, University of Technology Sydney, University of Newcastle, Macquarie University and Western Sydney University — on projects translating research in smart sensing into compelling solutions that create value for the economy, environment and society of NSW and beyond.

A delegation from the NSSN will visit Charles Sturt University’s campus in Bathurst this spring to learn more about the University’s capabilities in data science. Charles Sturt researchers may collaborate with the Network through the NSSN Ambassador at Charles Sturt University, Dr Muhammad Arif Khan or the NSSN Coordinator at Charles Sturt University, Amber Marks.

Media: Shahrzad Abbasi | NSSN | 0466 548 145

The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), a consortium of eight leading universities across NSW and the ACT, is a not-for-profit innovation network funded by the NSW Government through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. The NSSN brings together universities, industry and government to translate world-class research into innovative smart sensing solutions that create value for the economy, environment and society of NSW and beyond.

Guest User