QUT Partners with IBM on AI Learning Initiative

The QUT Faculty of Business and Law has collaborated with IBM Australia to provide access to the IBM SkillsBuild platform, giving students opportunities to engage with a wide range of online learning resources in areas such as artificial Intelligence (AI), including generative AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, and professional skills like design thinking, critical thinking, and communication.

This initiative forms part of IBM's SkillsBuild University Strategy, which is designed to strengthen AI education across global universities.

The SkillsBuild platform is being offered initially to select business student cohorts, with the potential for broader integration in future phases, guided by student engagement and outcomes.

“This initiative is about empowering the next generation with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an AI-driven world,” said Catherine Garner, IBM Consulting Partner and Public Sector Leader for Australia.

“Our collaboration with QUT plays a vital role in giving students hands-on experience and real-world exposure to AI technologies, helping them build the competencies that will shape the future of innovation and grow the Queensland economy.”

Pictured: Catherine Garner, IBM Consulting Partner, and Professor Sharon Christensen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at QUT.

Developed and supported by IBM's global network of technology experts, the SkillsBuild platform is offered as an optional learning resource to complement formal studies. It enables students to develop skills aligned with their interests and with evolving industry requirements.

QUT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Professor Sharon Christensen shared that the collaboration enhances the learning offered at QUT with IBM’s global expertise.

“We’re committed to ensuring our students graduate job-ready and equipped for the future of work,” she said.

“The IBM SkillsBuild platform complements our existing curriculum and provides access to learning in areas like AI that are increasingly relevant in the workplace.”

Courses are delivered entirely online and are self-paced, providing students with the flexibility to engage with content around their existing study schedules and personal commitments. Upon completion, students will earn IBM-branded digital credentials, which can be included on résumés and LinkedIn profiles.