Swinburne University of Technology’s career plan to combat AI

Uni plans to personalise students’ study to fit specific career courses and combat the future tide of AI workers.

Swinburne University of Technology, Croydon campus, Norton Road.

Swinburne University of Technology will invest $40 million in a new plan to better align students’ learning to the careers and professions they will pursue.

The learning transformation strategy announced this week will help students develop their professional identity and purpose while they are still studying, as well as “personalise” their learning to help them achieve individual professional goals.

The new strategy is Swinburne’s response to the challenge of preparing students to work in a world in which automation abolishes many existing jobs.

“The nature of work is changing. We’re hearing this from our industry partners very clearly,” Swinburne pro vice-chancellor (education and quality) Chris Pilgrim said.

“Our aim is to help students make informed decisions as to what they need.”

The university wants to help students align their knowledge, attitudes, skills and capabilities to what they decide is their “professional purpose”. This will allow students to work out what other support and opportunities they need to reach their goals.

The new strategy will also revamp the university’s e-learning platforms to match the digital delivery that students want and give them an e-learning portfolio that showcases their abilities.

“Students are seeking this as a mainstream approach,” Professor Pilgrim said.

Deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Duncan Bentley said the strategy aimed to prepare students for the so-called fourth industrial revolution, in which automation and artificial intelligence transforms the economy.

The plan will be developed and piloted next year and implemented by the university in 2019 and 2020.