These hubs serve as the front door for industry-university collaboration. By co-locating researchers, students, and industry experts, they provide a dedicated space to ideate, prototype, and scale technology solutions for complex business challenges.
Powering innovation through strategic investment
Founding vision
Established in 2020, the NIIN is a partnership between Cisco and Australian universities, connecting academic research with real-world deployment through targeted infrastructure and industry expertise.
Technology and expertise
Cisco provides the tech platforms, infrastructure, and engineering expertise to empower NIIN partners, while the Industry Alumni Program connects experienced professionals and former Cisco leaders to share specialized insights.
Skills and workforce development
The Cisco Networking Academy paired with university programs help students and professionals build industry-aligned skills and strengthen Australia’s digital future.
Driving innovation outcomes
Innovation
Turning industry solutions into practical solutions
Innovation Centrals facilitate collaboration between organisations, researchers, and tech experts to build prototypes and scale solutions.
Research
Connecting research excellence with industry impact
Cisco invests in Research Chairs, industry alumni, and specialised centres to connect academic expertise with industry insight to advance and scale applied research.
Workforce
Building Australia’s future-ready workforce
Cisco supports applied learning, mentoring, and industry-led experiences that help students and professionals gain practical experience aligned with emerging technologies and workforce needs.
Alliances
Empowering world-class research
Cisco invests in Research Chair positions and research capabilities across the NIIN to turn academic theory into scalable industry solutions.
Supplying essential technology and training
Cisco provides platforms, infrastructure, and Cisco Networking Academy resources to build an industry-ready workforce.
Anchoring strategic industry alliances
Cisco anchors the NIIN Cyber and Health Alliances to unite partners and solve challenges around security, health, and digital transformation.
Investing in Innovation Centrals
Cisco supports Innovation Centrals where industry and academia co-create, prototype, and scale new business models.
NIIN program elements
The NIIN ecosystem leverages a diverse network of facilities and expertise to accelerate digital innovation across Australia. Learn more about the core pillars that drive our collaborative approach to real-world deployment.
This program bridges the gap between academic discovery and industry application. By embedding world-class researchers within the NIIN, we connect Cisco’s strategic vision with academic expertise to drive long-term economic and societal impact.
This program connects experienced leaders with university-led initiatives to provide technical direction and mentorship. By serving as a bridge between academia and industry, alumni ensure projects remain grounded in contemporary industry needs.