The WA government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote its innovation capability.

The $16.7 million New Industries Fund will partner with the INSEAD business school to develop a new West Australian case study as part of the school’s Master of Business Administration program. 

Two teams of INSEAD students will report on the WA innovation ecosystem and contribute to the WA government’s innovation policy framework.

One of the projects will be a virtual reality case study to highlight the possibilities of virtual business environments, and support automation and robotics in mining along with autonomous vehicle usage.

Innovation and ICT minister Stephen Dawson says the MOU is important for the state’s innovation capability, including “facilitating case studies that will promote our mining technology to the world”.

“We are proud to be the first jurisdiction in Australia to partner with the internationally acclaimed INSEAD business school,” he said.

“The McGowan government is committed to supporting our local innovators through these kinds of partnerships, which help drive the diversification of our economy and create the jobs of the future for Western Australians.”