Human-centred design leads new Digital Transformation Centre

Human-centred design principles will lead the new DXC Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) opening in the UTS Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.

This collaboration with DXC Technology, the world’s leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, introduces a new model of engagement between industry and research, designing and developing digital solutions to solve business and societal challenges.

Seelan Nayagam, managing director, DXC Technology, Australia and New Zealand, explained how it will draw on collaborative minds and home-grown partnerships across industry, academia, community and government, to foster a new culture of innovation in a digital world.

In creating a space to incubate ideas and learning, DXC and UTS academics and students will have new ways of working that are human-centred, evidence-based and data-driven, sparking conversations, encouraging innovation and generating rapid outcomes, especially for enterprises embracing transformative digital technology.

We share the importance of practical innovation pioneering research solutions with a focus on real-life applications to improve lives and society, said Faculty Dean, Professor Ian Burnett.

This partnership with DXC will develop projects for UTS students to gain industry experience and develop valuable employment skills.

The DTC seeks opportunities for collaborative research projects with industry that support mid to long-term strategic goals and objectives. 

Projects will align with UTS existing and emerging research strengths including

• Cyber Security
• Data Science
• Energy and Environment
• Telecommunications
• Artificial Intelligence
• Health Technologies,
• Transport and
• Additive Manufacturing.

UTS students will get access to specific projects, delivering meaningful experiences to DXC’s clients and UTS’ industry partners.

Current client Guide Dogs Victoria is an example of human-centred design principles will lead projects, facilitated by DXC. It was quick to recognise the benefits of collaborating with DXC’s Digital Transformation Centre at Swinburne University to develop a working prototype of a Peer Support Platform for individuals with low vision or blindness.

Improving client outcomes is the key focus for us, and being at the forefront of technological innovation is necessary to achieve this, said Mr Nayagam.

With an NDIS-funded grant to address information access and social isolation issues, we could create a new platform to enable people with low vision/blindness to contribute to leading, shaping and influencing their communities.

DXC’s DTC at UTS builds on the success of similar DTCs with Swinburne University in Melbourne and in Adelaide.

Speaking at the official opening, the Hon. Victor Dominello, MP, NSW Minister for Customer Service, commended DXC and UTS on this initiative and their leadership.

Digitisation and the adoption of AI is changing the way we work, the way we learn and the skills mix of our workforce. This new Centre demonstrates the power of collaboration.