Media releases

Federation University Australia has welcomed a review commissioned by the Federal Government to investigate how universities and industry can better work together to build a strong national economy.

The recommendations from the University-Industry Collaboration in Teaching & Learning Review released this week align to Federation’s core belief that regional universities have a key role to play in driving economic growth and jobs in regional areas.

The review headed by Emeritus Professor Martin Bean CBE and Emeritus Professor Peter Dawkins AO found there was significant scope and appetite to improve engagement between universities and industry.

The review stated that “as we come out of the COVID-19 recession, there is a pressing need for the higher education sector and industry to systematically tackle the development of workforce skills urgently required by the Australian economy. The creation of widespread opportunities through collaboration on education and skills development, as our industries and labour market continue to change, is a key to this”.

Federation University Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Bentley, who contributed to the review, thanked Emeritus Professor Bean and Emeritus Professor Dawkins for their close engagement and for producing a compelling report.

The recommendations align to Federation’s focus on driving economic growth by generating job-ready graduates in areas of skills need, particular in the regions.

Federation’s submission to the review highlighted the benefits collaboration with industry can bring, such as the flagship partnership with IBM.

Key targets the University has set to reach by 2024 include ensuring that 80 per cent of its higher education programs include opportunities for learning in the workplace.

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

“We are deeply embedded within our regional communities and have established transformative partnerships with industry, government and community networks.”

“The review demonstrates our focus on learning in the workplace is right on track, as is our curriculum design approach to integrate industry learning and placements into all of our curriculum.”