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A new technology course at La Trobe University will help Bendigo students be more prepared for the ever-changing jobs market.
The two-year Master of Internet of Things is an Australian first and will be offered to students from 2020.
Head of technology and innovation Dr Simon Egerton said the course would address the growing connection between the internet and everyday objects.
"If you think about how we live and work, we're surrounded by information," Dr Egerton said. "What IOT gives us is the capability to tap into the information surrounding us.
"Using IOT, we can tap into that information and make important decisions. Those decisions lead to the efficiencies and productivity."
Dr Egerton said the internet of things was starting to be used in a range of Australian industries, leading to more employment opportunities for students.
"If you look at the top economic drivers in Australia - you've got manufacturing, construction, health care, and agriculture - those industries contribute to the top 25 per cent of Australia's GDP," he said.
"Across all of those sectors, you're looking at $300 billion growth alone in Australia over the next eight to 18 years. That's all being driven by this new technology.
"IOT is right in the space that is going to drive innovation in all of those areas."
Students will be partnering with organisations like the Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water, the City of Greater Bendigo, and Bendigo Health to implement projects as part of the degree.
Coliban Water chief information officer Amanda Finnis said the organisation was keen to work with the university.
"We already have a loose partnership where we do collaborative work," Ms Finnis said. "What this kind of degree means is, because it's highly practical, it gives us opportunities to collaborate even more formally."
Read more: Do we really need the internet of things?
The new course would boost the reputation of La Trobe Bendigo, Ms Finnis said.
"I think Bendigo can only benefit from this university becoming stronger," she said. "It's a fabulous education institution already. In many ways, I believe this can put it on the map globally."
La Trobe University student Ronnie Moore is in his final semester of a Bachelor of Information Technology at the Bendigo campus.
He said the new course would open up career opportunities for many students.
"I'm definitely interested in it," he said. 'I'm thinking I'll move into the workforce for a couple of years and then move back into university, but the fact that it's even available is awesome to me.
"It's good to have it out here and putting Bendigo on the map."
It follows La Trobe Bendigo's Technology Innovation Lab establishing one of regional Victoria's first open source Internet of Things networks last year.
Earlier
La Trobe University will offer an Australian-first course specialising in the tech industry's fastest growing sector.
The two-year Master of Internet of Things will be offered at La Trobe's Bendigo campus from 2020.
The Internet of Things is often called the 'third wave of the internet' and includes things like mobile phones, weather stations, machines and electronic devices.
"The Internet of Things is in demand by all types of industry at the moment - it is undergoing exponential growth on a global scale," Head of the Technology Innovation Lab Dr Simon Egerton said.
"Organisations are realising the enormous potential of the Internet of Things to make them more productive and efficient by giving them what they most need - information.
"However, from talking to them, we know that there is a major shortage of experts who are skilled in this space - and that's why we have developed this course."
Students will be partnering with organisations like the Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water, the City of Greater Bendigo, and Bendigo Health to implement projects as part of the degree.
It follows La Trobe Bendigo's Technology Innovation Lab establishing one of regional Victoria's first open source Internet of Things networks last year.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
