Connect with the next generation of STEM and design thinking by engaging with our students in real-world learning experiences. Our undergraduate students bring fresh thinking and put the latest theory into practice to support your projects. Our masters and PhD students are the next generation of researchers and professionals, with industry ready skills and expertise to be applied to your business.

Engineering Capstone: Supporting humanitarian workers with Engineers Without Borders

Adele van der Winden, Ally Moodie (Civil Engineering) and Madura Senadeera (Electrical Engineering) won the 2021 Engineers without Borders (EWB) Human-centred Design Award for their Engineering Honours Capstone project. The team’s research, working with Engineers Without Borders as an industry partner, aimed to support the safety of humanitarian workers through wearable technology.

Judges were impressed by the team's commitment to engaging with users to deliver a truly human-centred outcome. The team was supervised by Professor Les Dawes, Head of School, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Dhammika Jayalath, Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering.

Engineering Capstone: Designing renewable energy solutions for the Royal Australian Army

Electrical Engineering students Darren Harris and Jason Oliveri, and Mechanical Engineering students Dean Grandfield and Ashley Gibson developed a solar powered battery box to power the sub-systems on M777A2 Howitzers. The project was in partnership with the Royal Australian Army and supervised by Dr. Veronica Gray.

The renewable energy box is designed to replace current diesel generators which are noisy, harmful to the environment, require significant maintenance and require a constant supply of fuel. The students designed, built, and trialled their work in collaboration with the 1st Artillery Regiment and their prototype is currently being used in-field by the Royal Australian Army.

Industry placement: Using AI to track and manage power outages with Energex

Final year Electrical Engineering student Caitlin Nicholas spent a year with Energex, analysing data and using algorithms to identify power outage tweets. The project aimed to quantify the value of using publicly available data to identify and manage power outages by developing an algorithm using natural language processing, machine learning and deep learning techniques.

Caitlin also received an industry scholarship, and participated in the Dean’s Scholars Program throughout her studies.

Road safety research in action

'My HDR internship experience with Advanced Mobility Analytics Group allowed me to meet transportation specialists around the globe, and learn directly from road safety technology experts – an eye-opening experience which is currently shaping the direction of my career. The hands-on experiences helped me understand the industry environment and the connection between research-based knowledge and practical implementation. Most importantly, the networks I have built, and the skill sets I have developed will set me up well for a career in road safety.'

Mohasin Howlader
Higher degree research student

First-hand industry experience

'My research is focused on developing a validated hydrogel system to provide more accurate treatment regimes for breast cancer patients. As part of my studies, I undertook a 9-month industry partnership with Gelomics, where I saw first-hand the robust quality assurance requirements for chemically engineered products and the complex pipeline of product commercialisation. This industry experience provided me with both personal and professional confidence, technical skills and has greatly expanded my professional relationships.'

Julien Clegg
Higher degree research student

Work placements

Second- to fourth-year students (depending on discipline) undertake short-term work placements and use this experience to put theory into practice on the job.

Students spend up to 450 hours on the job (full-time or part-time) with a qualified supervisor from your organisation. Placements may be paid or unpaid, depending on circumstances, and students may receive academic credit for their work.

Your staff member will provide day to day supervision, direction and feedback to the student, exactly as if they were a member of your own staff.

Industry-based projects

Students (either final year or aspiring researchers) work on an industry research or development project, responding to a client brief and presenting a final report.

Depending on the program, projects can run from six weeks to two semesters (120 to 280 hours of work) at set times of year, and can be based on campus or off campus in your workplace. Students may receive academic credit for their work, or a stipend.

Your project supervisor will work with an academic staff member to scope the project, consult and meet with students, and sign off on project deliverables.

Sprints, projects and placements (up to 6 months)

  • Develop a project brief for students to deliver solutions and develop new ideas in a two to six month project
  • Engage a cross-disciplinary team for a 5-day design sprint working on your wicked problem
  • Host a short-term placement and enable a graduate researcher to shadow your staff

Long-term research and development investments (1.5 to 3 years)

  • Fund scholarships to engage deep expertise in your long-term strategies
  • Prototype and explore feasibility of new technologies
  • Build relationships to support your future needs

Get in touch

Contact our Faculty Engagement (Work Integrated Learning) team to make a start on organising your project, placement or internship.

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