Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology says the bachelor of business programs will help students and working professionals prepare for the roles of the future, some of which are yet to be created.
RMIT also says the new programs seek to go beyond the traditional business degree, with a career-focused approach centred around industry and experiential learning, rather than exams and lectures.
Developed by RMIT’s College of Business and Law, and featuring industry partnerships with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Adobe, Australian Red Cross, and Medibank, the program offers anyone considering a business degree with the flexibility to choose from either an entirely online offering via RMIT Online, or to undertake an on-campus/blended delivery option.
According to RMIT the on-campus option is well suited to school leavers and recent high school graduates, offering students total flexibility to choose from a suite of 15 majors and 35 minors in order to specialise in a chosen field, or to broaden knowledge across a range of fields.
“Study areas available prepare students for emerging and hybrid roles in the labour market and across industries, including a new undergraduate major in social impact – the first of its kind offered by any Australian university,” RMIT says.
“RMIT Online’s Bachelor of Business option, designed for working professionals, will provide knowledge of business fundamentals and address gaps in their current working experience to bolster their employability and confidence as the nature of work continues to shift.
“The decision to expand RMIT offerings in the online undergraduate space represents a strategic move from the University to prioritise flexible learning models amid significant disruption.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law) and Vice-President Julie Cogin said the new model would prepare future business leaders for career success.
“We’ve revitalised our whole suite of undergraduate programs to provide greater choice for students, and flexible delivery options. Instead of exams, we have built industry projects into our courses and offer unique ways for students to engage with business, government and the wider community.”
As the pandemic disrupts the way people think about learning and work, RMIT says it is continuing to evolve its offerings to meet students’ expectations and to keep pace with the digitised future of work.
RMIT Online and Deloitte’s Ready, Set, Upskill - Effective Training for the Jobs of Tomorrow report found that 23% of surveyed Australians said that learning isn’t available in times or ways that suit them.
"Furthermore, a recent study by FutureLearn revealed that two-thirds (68 percent) of Australian adults who had re-evaluated their career path as a result of COVID-19 are now more interested in online and flexible blended course options," said RMIT.
“All students will be equipped with industry-ready skills and experience delivered through interactions with industry partners throughout their degree, combined with authentic, industry-contextualised assessments, internships, and an experiential learning course that includes a virtual industry project.”
Helen Souness, CEO at RMIT Online, said, “We’ve been talking about the future of work for some time now, and with the current and looming skills shortages presenting a national and economic imperative to upskill, we need to also address the future of education.”
Both course options leverage the same industry partners as part of RMIT’s strategic commitment to modernise the delivery of learning programs in line with students’ expectations and schedules.
Both on-campus and online options for the new Bachelor of Business will launch in 2022. The online course option is delivered over four 10-week terms. The on-campus/blended delivery option is delivered over three years (or part-time equivalent). Applications are now open via VTAC (on-campus option) and RMIT Online.
A four-year Bachelor of Business Professional Practice will also be offered which comprises all the opportunities from the Bachelor of Business, with the addition of a Professional Practice year which incorporates professional experience internships.
RMIT announced that a four-year Bachelor of Business Professional Practice will also be offered which comprises all the opportunities from the Bachelor of Business, with the addition of a Professional Practice year which incorporates professional experience internships.
Iain Rouse, Country Director for ANZ, Worldwide Public Sector AWS said: “We know that technology is redefining the Australian workforce and the skills needed to remain competitive. AWS is committed to providing training that arms students and current workers with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the future workplace, and we are proud to partner with RMIT and RMIT Online to improve students’ employability, drive innovation, and contribute to Australia’s economic productivity.”
Amanda Robinson, Head of Social Innovation and Humanitech, Australian Red Cross: “It is vitally important that the future generation of business leaders understand that creating value for society is as important as creating value for shareholders. Australian Red Cross is delighted to partner with RMIT on this innovative new program.”
Suzanne Steele, Vice President and Managing Director, Adobe Australia and New Zealand : “As an important partner of Adobe’s, we are excited to work with RMIT on the development of this new undergraduate degree with an inventive perspective on Business Education. The focus on social consciousness is strongly aligned with Adobe's core values. Adobe looks forward to partnering with RMIT and graduates coming into the workforce with in-demand skills.”
Jason Elias, Head of Overseas Partnerships and Sales, Medibank said: “Medibank is pleased to support the development of a new online undergraduate business degree that has been designed to develop future business leaders. Our participation and involvement with this degree will provide RMIT students with insight into Medibank’s approach to health leadership and how our organisational values underpin the work we do.”