(From left to right: Professor Agostino Bruzzone, Chairman of STRATEGOS in the University of Genoa; and Professor Chris Rudd OBE,
Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Campus, Singapore for James Cook University)

James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with STRATEGOS, Master of Science in Engineering Technologies for Strategy and Security, University of Genoa, Italy (UNIGE) on 1 November 2019.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will strengthen their ability to work together, and expand the exchange of ideas in areas of mutual interest. This includes discussing and assessing research and development (R&D) projects, to identify new avenues where the two organisations may collaborate together.

The two institutions will be able to share their knowledge, particularly in the areas of engineering, simulation, game design and development, cybersecurity, business and commerce, and more.

Staff and students may also explore exchange opportunities, as well as create opportunities for joint publications and presentations.

The difference in background between the two universities opens up new possibilities, and the chance to explore diverse perspectives.

As Dr Roberto Dillon, Associate Professor of Information Technology at JCU in Singapore, puts it, “James Cook University is one of the most exciting young universities in the world, ranked in the top 50 universities under 50 years old (based on the QS Top 50 Under 50 2020). Meanwhile, the University of Genoa is one of the oldest universities in the world, dating back to 1481. So we have a very interesting kind of relationship and lots of history, and an exciting future as well.”

IT & Business Research and Practice Symposium

The signing of the MOU took place at the end of our IT & Business Research and Practice Symposium — titled “Smart Synergies: Business, Technology and Education”.

Associate Professor Dillon explains that the symposium delves into “the synergies between fields that ordinarily are different and far away from each other like business, technology and education.

“But in reality, we can see that in the modern world, where technologies move fast and is so pervasive, each of these fields can actually touch and affect each other. And they should find a way to collaborate and push each other to evolve in new and unexpected directions.”

Moderated by Mr Eddie Chng, Sessional Lecturer at JCU in Singapore, a panel discussion saw a select group of guest speakers share their expertise and know-how on the themes of the symposium.

The panellists:

• Dr Agostino Bruzzone – Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transport Engineering (DIME) at the University of Genoa, and Chairman of STRATEGOS
• Dr Nicola Bianchi – Scientific Attaché of the Italian Embassy in Singapore
• Dr Giulio Gennaro – Chief Executive Officer at 1888 Gennaro Consulting
• Dr Adrian Kuah – Associate Professor of Business at JCU in Singapore

(From left to right: Professor Agostino Bruzzone, Dr Nicola Bianchi, Mr Eddie Chng, Dr Giulio Gennaro, and Associate Professor Adrian Kuah)

The panel discussion highlighted the increasing harmony between technological developments in an educational environment and in business activities. Additionally, the speakers emphasised the importance of diplomacy, particularly scientific diplomacy, in today’s extremely interconnected world.

Subsequently, there were project presentations from students in STRATEGOS as well as from a student in James Cook University in Singapore. They shed light on their approach towards tackling real-world issues with technology. After that, Professor Agostino Bruzzone took to the floor to explain more about the STRATEGOS course in the University of Genoa.

As technology continues to advance, it is critical that we learn to adopt and adapt, while we discover how it affects the different facets of our lives.

Find out more information about our Information Technology courses here.

Find out more information about our Business courses here.

Check out Associate Professor Roberto Dillon’s staff and research profiles here.

Contacts

Associate Professor Roberto Dillon [email protected]
Media: Pinky Sibal [email protected]