Charles Sturt uni partners with IBM for business-focused IT degree

Charles Sturt University in Western NSW has launched a new Bachelor of Information Technology (Business Services) degree, jointly developed by IBM.

The scholarship-funded four year degree will accept 22 new students per year. It will be offered from the start of 2009.

The mixture of technical and business components of the degree will offer employment opportunities for graduates and will also provide a range of industries with highly-skilled IT professionals, said CSU head of the School of Accounting and Computer Science, Associate Professor Ross Wilson.

“[Students] will be able to offer their enhanced information and communication technology experience and business know-how to a range of employers,” said Professor Wilson.

Senior lecturer Dr Michael Antolovich touted the real industry experience and the Bathurst locality as significant advantages of the new degree.

“During the degree the students will undertake a subject called ‘Industry Project’ where they will work on real projects that exist with a company. For example, Country Energy is currently contracted by Telstra to provide database implementations, so there is potential project work experience there,” he said.

All students will gain internships with any of the funding partners -- IBM, Country Energy and the NSW Department of Lands -- through IBM’s Regional Development Centre in Bathurst.

The application process for non-high school students involves an interview and for high school students, the UAI entrance score is expected to be 75.