Media releases

Federation University’s collaboration with IBM, which has secured hundreds of jobs with the technology giant for Fed Uni students, has received a coveted national award for excellence.   

More than 300 of 400 graduates of IT courses run by the University in partnership with IBM have gone on to work with the company. Many former students remain employed there today.

The powerful partnership, which began in 1995, was last night recognised with an Engagement Australia Excellence Award for Student Engagement. 

Federation University was one of three universities competing in the Excellence in Student Engagement category, for its collaboration with IBM in the Bachelor of IT (Professional Practice), the Bachelor of Business (Professional Practice) and the P-TECH program for school-aged children at Federation Technology School.

Judges chose Federation University for the accolade after hearing how students gained real-world skills through IBM internships and access to IBM experts who lectured at the University, putting them in the box seat for jobs that opened up at the company’s facilities at the Ballarat Technology Park. Scholarships funded by IBM are also on offer at the University.

P-TECH has supported students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds in Years 7 to 12 since 2016.

Thirty-five universities from Australia and New Zealand competed across seven categories in the Excellence Awards, which build on the high-quality recognition provided by the former Business Higher Education Round Table for the most exciting and impactful engagement activities undertaken by Australian universities.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“There is no higher honour for a university than being recognised for excellence in the learning experiences it provides for its students. This Engagement Australia Award is testimony to the extremely high standards Federation University and its partners hold themselves to every day.”

“This is an unprecedented roadmap for transformational collaboration between industry, university and government with massive social and economic benefits for our students, community and sector. The economic rejuvenation has been a lifeline for Ballarat and regional Australia.”

“As a regional university with a smaller population in its catchment area than larger city universities, this is a significant benefit and point of difference. Our student interns bring valuable knowledge and capability. IBM values this talent pipeline and hires a significant number of graduates, with interns having priority access to roles. Many early graduates are now in senior roles at IBM.”