We recognise the importance of collaborating with industry for the advancement of teaching and research in the ICT and engineering fields.
Partnership opportunities span industry consultation, research and student learning collaborations.
Engage with students
The School of ITEE strives to provide industry partners the opportunity to engage with students in ways that are mutually beneficial.
A number of opportunities exist for organisations to engage with our students including:
Project work and internships
Current ITEE students can apply to undertake an industry placement project in their third year of study. This placement is equivalent to two standard courses and is taken as an alternative to undertaking a project at the University. The industry placement project is completed over two semesters with local industry partners.
Many industry partners choose to participate in this placement project many years running because of the high calibre of students the program attracts. For more information about how your organisation can get involved with this program please contact Dr Joel Carpenter.
CEED
The CEED placement program integrates industry-based training with the Bachelor of Engineering by allowing students to complete their final year thesis project in industry. Students are given the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-life project, being responsible for the planning and management of a project to completion, allowing them to gain a meaningful industry experience. CEED students typically work on-site for three to four days per week throughout the semester and are co-supervised by a mentor from industry and an academic advisor from the University.
Benefits to involved industry partners
- Ownership of the project results (and intellectual property)
- Access to University staff and resources
- Costs are predetermined, contained and commercially competitive
- All projects are covered by contract with UQ
- Projects are carefully monitored by co-supervision
- Organisations are readily able to realign work and processes regularly to remain competitive in their industry
- Expenditure may be claimable under R&D tax concession schemes
- CEED provides an excellent method for selecting future employees
More information about the CEED program.
Postgraduate research students
Higher Degree Research (HDR) students and postgraduate honours students undertake a substantial body of independent research as part of their programs. Your organisation may find there is research being undertaken by ITEE students that is of interest to you. The School of ITEE provides organisations with the opportunity to co-fund scholarships to assist these students to complete their work, while providing value to industry partners. One such innovative scholarship involves ITEE research students interrupting their studies to complete an internship in the industry partner's offices, participating in the organisation's research and development projects.
To find out more information please contact the School's HDR Administrative Officer.
Guest lectures
Industry partners are invited to join with our Course Coordinators to deliver one-off lectures to students, relevant to the curriculum. These lectures give students an insight into how their learning applies in a business setting and inspires students to see the real-world opportunities that await them.
If you would like to find out more about giving a guest lecture, please contact the relevant Course Coordinator or alternatively contact the School's Director of Coursework Studies, Dr Stephen Viller.
Employment placements
The University of Queensland's Career and Employment team can assist local, interstate and international employers with attracting and recruiting employees from the University's talented pool of students and graduates.
Services include:
- Free online advertising of jobs and events on UQ Career Hub (an online careers and employment service linking UQ students and graduates with potential employers)
- Free on campus information sessions
- Targeted direct mail-outs to students
- Access to on campus interview rooms and videoconferencing free-of-charge
Scholarships and prizes
A number of opportunities exist for individuals and corporations to provide scholarships and prizes to students with the aim of encouraging academic achievement or to combat social disadvantage.
Many industry partners offer scholarships and prizes to ITEE students, complementing those offered by the School. Sponsoring scholarships and prizes is a good way for industry partners to increase their exposure and promotion of their organisation as well as providing a great opportunity to engage with the School's top students.
As a guide, the University suggests a minimum prize value of $500 for undergraduate students and a minimum scholarship amount of $5000. It is also advisable to establish prizes and scholarships for a minimum of three years to maximise the exposure of the award and provide recognition for the donor.
If you or your organisation is interested in offering a prize or scholarship to ITEE students or would like any further information about prizes and scholarships, please contact the University's Development Office.
You can view the list of prizes and scholarships currently offered to ITEE students.
Research and development collaboration
The University of Queensland is one of Australia's largest providers of industry funded research and development expertise and its research commercialisation model is current best practice, with the School of ITEE contributing strongly to this reputation.
The School of ITEE has a strong, internationally recognised research base.
The School's staff and students are published widely and attract competitive grant funding and industry sponsorship.
Types of research collaboration
Australian Research Council Linkage Programs
The Australian Research Council (ARC) is an independent body established by the Australian Government to advance Australia's capacity to undertake quality research. An ARC Linkage Grant is an effective way to leverage your research dollar, giving you access to university expertise to solve your organisation's research and development challenges.
Your organisation can partner with ITEE researchers to apply for a grant that, together with a contribution from your organisation, provides the critical mass to get research underway. School staff will coordinate the paperwork. The ARC brokers agreements with industry partners to meet statutory requirements.
Joint ITEE Industry / Government Research Contracts
Organisations can partner directly with the School of ITEE to establish agreements to undertake research and development.
Contact the School's Managers for Innovation and Commercial Development, Dr Tony Keating and Dr Howard Leemon to help put you touch with the right expertise.
Commercialisation Services
Joint research and development sometimes leads to innovations with commercial potential. The School of ITEE has access to University innovation and commercial development specialists who can help develop commercial opportunities. The School operates in conjunction with the University's subsidiary company, UniQuest, one of Australia's most highly regarded university technology transfer groups.
To find out more about UniQuest, please visit their website.
Who to contact
To quickly find an expert in your area of interest please refer to the UQ Experts page.
To find out more about the research expertise within the School of ITEE and to discuss options for industry collaboration please refer to the UQ Researchers page.
If you want to pursue a direct partnership with ITEE researchers, please contact Dr Harry Chin.
Industry funded Research and Development
The School has been involved in a number of projects with industry and has worked with many high profile organisations including:
- ABB Corporate Research
- Alstom Power
- Boeing
- Cricket Australia
- CSIRO
- CS Energy
- DSTG
- Energex
- Ergon Energy
- Facebook Research
- IEnergy
- Microsoft
- Oracle Labs
- NASA
- PEA
- Powerlink QLD
- QLD Rail
- SAP
- Siemens
- Software Engineering Australia
- Stanwell Corp
- Sun Microsystems
- Tarong Energy
- Westinghouse Rail
Useful links
Consultancy and testing services
The staff at the School of ITEE, together with other University staff, can provide valuable professional opinion and expertise as well as laboratory based testing services.
The Consulting and Research Unit within UniQuest can assist individuals and organisations seeking a consultant or testing services. UniQuest can assist individuals and organisations with leading experts at the one place. The UniQuest team will quickly match a suitable UQ consultant to an organisation's specific requirements. They understand the importance of finding the appropriate expert and can also source supplementary expertise from external organisations. All administration and commercial arrangements are handled by UniQuest.
For further information visit Uniquest website or contact Will Kershaw.
Shared facilities
Some industry partners have made their facilities available to ITEE students and researchers for mutual benefit. In one case, industry partner staff have been encouraged by their employer to participate in university studies, by being able to complete some of the practical requirements at their worksite.
If you would like to discuss making your organisation's facilities available to ITEE students and researchers, please contact the School Manager.