Queensland University of Technology

SAS provides unique bridge between industry and academia

SAS is driving an innovative work experience program that is benefiting university students and key industry companies.

SAS has partnered with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to offer students the opportunity to gain valuable industry work experience using SAS solutions in a real-world environment.

Seven students from QUT's Business and IT Faculties participated in work experience placements ranging from six to 11 weeks, from December 2003 to February 2004. They were placed in major organizations that use SAS solutions and completed projects using SAS technology.

Participating organizations include Suncorp and Queensland Department of Housing as well as national banks and major manufacturers.

"The program allows students to put their theoretical study into practice," says SAS Academic Program Manager, Melissa Cassar. "More importantly, it gives students a chance to get their foot in the door of the corporate world."

The program has been so successful that SAS is now rolling it out with universities and SAS clients throughout Australia and New Zealand. "It's an integrated approach that supports academic learning with real-world application," says Cassar. "We're confident that other students will be able to benefit from the program as much as QUT's students already have.

SAS plays an integral part in the program by securing the participation of companies, and finding appropriate students for work placement. "We're supporting the academic community as well as our commercial customers, says Cassar. "Apart from helping the students, the program also secures long term benefits for our customers by ensuring new graduates are already equipped with SAS skills before they even start work.

QUT lecturer and coordinator of the E-Business major, Sherrena Buckby, says the work experience program benefits all parties. "It certainly helps students, who can show potential employers they have the required skills," she said. "But it's also a very worthwhile program for employers. They have a cost-effective resource – a student that has had grounding in the data mining or coding skills they need."

Col McCowan, head of Careers and Employment at QUT and coordinator of the work placement program agreed. "It strengthens students’ resumes and makes them more employable," he said.

Program reduces recruitment costs 
With recruitment costs averaging $10,000 to $20,000 per candidate, the program offers a cost alternative to traditional recruiting. At the end of the work experience period, both students and employers have a much better idea of suitability of the person to the organization, in comparison to the standard interview process.

With average recruiting fees being about 16 percent, it is estimated that some organizations will save as much as $14,000 in hiring students within this program.

The program is an effective bridge between university and business.

Gustav Pangestu was in his final year of a Masters in Information Technology, specializing in information systems when he undertook work experience at major Australian insurance company Suncorp. Pangestu believes his involvement with the program was invaluable in him being offered a permanent position as a business information officer at the end of his work experience. "This program creates a useful link between the two," he said.

Pangestu's participation in the program paid off: He was one of two students to be offered full-time employment and commenced a permanent position as a business information officer at the end of his work experience.

SAS' partnership with QUT in the work experience program is set to continue. However, SAS eventually plans to roll out this program in other universities in Australia. "It's an integrated approach that supports academic learning with real-world application," says Cassar. "We hope that other students will be able to benefit from the program as much as QUT's students already have."

Cassar adds that commercial experience is fast becoming an essential requirement from companies that are looking to employ savvy graduates with the right technological skills. Cassar adds: "With SAS providing business intelligence solutions for seven of the top 10 companies in Australia according to BRW 100, universities are increasingly recognizing the need to equip students with SAS skills to ensure quality graduates are supplied to the commercial world."