Universities that integrate Business with Tech

12 Feb 2018

Damian Hinds, the UK’s new education secretary, states that “technology must have a role in our sector, as it does in other sectors, to be able to ease the workload, which is a matter I know is of great importance to teachers in this country.” He goes on to add that “technology also provides opportunities to track [and] monitor the progress of pupils and brings new types of content to students which introduces them to whole new worlds.”

As the Secretary of State for Education points out, the impact of technology on modern day society is a subject that’s often surrounded by debate. He believes that it has the power to do extraordinary things in the realm of education and will continue to do so for decades to come. Yet, it’s not just this sector that’s receiving tech-based benefits…

When you take a good look at the business world, you’ll certainly notice the effects of technology and the way it has dramatically enhanced production, consumption and overall brand awareness of corporations. As a result, many media platforms are contemplating the challenges of this technological shift. theHRDIRECTOR, for example, explains that “business is changing and technology is calling the pace.” The publication believes that the majority of cutting-edge companies are using the latest technologies to transform the way they approach everyday issues.

One key change is the option of remote working; a concept that allows employees to work away from the office environment and a process that’s spreading like wildfire. Many employees are catching onto this trend, giving recruits the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world as long as they are using a reliable Wi-Fi connection and maintaining fluent and online communication with their team. As it stands, in 2017 a working survey found that “70% of workers feel that offering flexible working makes a job more attractive to them.” As figures rise, this method thrives.

There’s also the suggestion that technology supports the customer experience. In relation to the 2018 outlook for retail, according to Zynstra, more than half (53%) of retailers will focus on technology to improve the shopping experience. Businesses that are faced with bucket loads of enquiries and individual customer demands find that technology (combined with staff) helps the company to respond promptly and efficiently, resulting in tech’s heavy influence over rates of customer satisfaction. Nevertheless, these are just two leading factors out of many that support the transition of technology in the business sector. But how successfully are the universities listed below evolving with tech?

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY – AUSTRALIA

Ranked in the top 1.4 percent of universities in the world, La Trobe integrates business and IT knowledge, combining that with industry-based learning to prepare well-rounded, career-ready graduates that meet modern workplace demands. As an Information Systems student, you will gain a deep understanding of information technology and specialist knowledge in management, marketing or accounting, to develop a complementary mix of skills in both areas.

You will also gain exposure to the exciting world of innovation and entrepreneurship, and study subjects that address global citizenship and sustainability thinking – specialist areas designed to give you an edge with employers.

La Trobe collaborates with leading business and tech industry partners to create courses designed to meet the needs of real-world organisations. Courses in the multidisciplinary areas of Cybersecurity and Business Analytics, for example, are in high demand across a range of industries in Australia and globally.

La Trobe’s strategic alliance with Optus Business will build on the strengths of both organisations to address significant global challenges such as smart cities, cybersecurity and the application of big data analytics. The alliance will also provide academic and research leadership in these areas.

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY – NEW ZEALAND

Over in New Zealand’s fastest growing city is a university dedicated to delivering top-class technological education. Every area of study involves key involvement of the digital age, delving into the growing impact it has on each sector.

This can be seen in the acclaimed AUT Business School. This institution offers a diverse range of sought-after degrees, with a future vision sitting at the core of its academic framework. For four-year students there’s the option to apply for the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences programme. After graduating with this degree, you are expected to obtain a broad range of problem-solving skills and a deep theoretical understanding of core business disciplines.

There’s also the university’s Creative Technologies institute that’s open to collaborative learning. As a school for emerging technologies, the ‘Colab’ courses connect social innovation to new ways of thinking to create an inspirational study space for free thinkers. Here, there are some incredible labs for students to get involved with. By granting learners with the facilities needed to develop and shape digital and physical designs such as 3D computer files and motion-capture performances, AUT is already creating technologies of its own.

MONASH UNIVERSITY – MALAYSIA

To master the mix of technology and business at Monash University in Malaysia, you must first choose a course that’s right for you. With programmes intertwined with business principles and information technology, each degree offers learners a contemporary approach.

In its recent “Tech Things Seriously” seminar, Monash discussed how urgent it is to be prepared for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) and how graduates can take things to the next level. Participants and esteemed speakers were given the chance to discuss crucial concepts such as digital disruption and technological change. By sharing actionable insights, individuals who attended the meeting were able to effectively assess the link between business and tech. This is just one of the interactive platforms made possible via the Monash Malaysia Business Alumni Chapter (MMBAC).

Additionally, Monash University has rightfully earned its place as the 21^st most international university in the Times Higher Education world rankings. Since globalisation is an important factor for any academic institution, Monash is maintaining a worldwide reputation for welcoming students from all walks of life. Plus, this also greatly benefits teachers, since every student contributes their own perspective towards the topic of technology and opens an international sphere of discussion.

CURTIN UNIVERSITY – AUSTRALIA

Could you see yourself studying in the great Aussie sunshine at a five-star rated university? If the answer is yes, you’re in for an amazing adventure, and Curtin has mapped out a clear-cut vision for 2030 to meet the needs of future generations.

The main component of Curtin’s future plan is the use of local and international high-impact research. By analysing the use of ICT and emerging technologies, Curtin is helping the next generation produce revolutionary concepts. Through various programs in e-health, e-business, spatial sciences and wireless telecommunications, the university has adapted its research efforts to cater for the ever-changing world.

Curtin University promotes many graduate diplomas, including Cybersecurity, Predictive Analytics and undergraduate programmes in subjects such as International Business. But what’s likely to spark student interests is the MicroMasters in the Internet of Things (IoT) programme; teaching how to develop IoT ideas in your own industry and gain an understanding of how it works in the business world today. Through various informative lectures regarding protocols and networks, you’ll get the chance to contribute your opinion towards the production of an authentic creative product.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International