"The work IBM is doing with Monash University is a great example of what can be achieved when two leading, innovation-focused organisations work together"
Ron Fairchild
Vice-President (Advancement)
Monash University
Melbourne, Australia
Business need:
 The years following the dot-com crash have been unkind to the information technology industry and, in particular, to universities offering degrees in IT. The tech wreck was quickly followed by a significant drop in student enrolments in IT courses from 2001 onwards. Reduced student intake led to a shortage of qualified IT graduates, the effects of which started to be felt in 2004. This skills shortage is still an issue for the industry and many technology companies struggle to recruit and retain qualified staff.
Melbourne-based Monash University has developed a strong reputation in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for the quality and vocational relevance of its IT courses. Technology leader and innovator IBM has collaborated with the university to develop world-leading IT curricula, increase the number of IT graduates and the attractiveness of IT courses and further the development of ground-breaking technologies.
Solution:
Building on their reputations for innovation and quality, Monash University and IBM Australia and New Zealand have partnered for many years in areas such as student recruitment and internships, investing in research and developing industry-leading coursework.
IBM was a founding partner of the Industry-Based Learning Program at Monash's Clayton School of Information Technology, in which Bachelor of Business Information Systems (BBIS) students undertake two 22-week industry placements as part of their courses. IBM recruits many of Monash's brightest graduates and also supports the university's Women in IT program.
Research and development is vital to IBM's global focus on developing more innovative products, services, business models and business processes. Monash University's leading research in areas such as information technology, life sciences, business services sciences and high-performance computing make it an attractive partner. IBM has invested in Monash research through its Worldwide Research Awards Programs
Like Monash University, IBM recognises the shortage of IT skills in Australia and is working with the university to make technology education more appealing to students and more relevant to employers. IBM provides resources such as software tools and technical guides and gives Monash academics opportunities to meet experts in their fields of teaching. IBM advisors also help Monash lecturers develop contemporary, relevant courses and maintain the university's reputation as a leading provider of tertiary education.
The partnership between Monash University and IBM focuses on three major areas:
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Recruitment and internships |
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Research |
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Academic programs |
This customer story is based on information provided by Monash University and illustrates how one organisation uses IBM products. Many factors may have contributed to the results and benefits described; IBM does not guarantee comparable results elsewhere. IBM is not in a position to verify the accuracy of the information or any claims made by third parties.
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