Swinburne Uni launches AWS-backed cloud degree

Swinburne University has launched the nation’s first cloud degree in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed at producing job-ready graduates to meet employers’ growing demands.

The undergraduate Associate Degree of Applied Technologies – Cloud Technologies was developed with AWS Educate delivered over two years through the university’s Pathways and Vocational Education (PAVE) program.

Digital partnerships manager at Swinburne’s Data Science for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC) Marco Krischer said the degree follows a “learn and earn” apprenticeship style model where organisations can upskill members of staff or people looking to enter the field can gain skills and first-hand knowledge of AWS’ product development methodology.

Students enrolled in the associate degree will have the chance to work with external companies and public sector organisations who have partnered with the CIC to develop cloud-based solutions to apply skills to real-world issues.

“In addition to the technical skills they will pick up, students will also learn customer engagement, and bdesign methodology to help them unpack a customer problem and think about devising a solution,” Krischer told iTnews.

And while students in the degree won’t automatically receive certification from AWS, graduates will be eligible to participate in a selection of AWS Academy certification programs like Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect (Associate) certifications.

Krischer said the first intake of students occurred last year under a pilot program with NAB when the CIC first opened, with Wednesday’s launch coinciding with the recent official recognition from AWS Educate.

“This is one of the few degrees in the world that has been verified by AWS Educate,” Krischer said.

“This is part of our Industry 4.0 whole-of-university strategy. Swinburne very much believes that there's a revolution in manufacturing and a new wave of business innovation coming, and obviously the digitalisation of all aspects of production manufacturing as a part of that.”

The next intake of students will be in semester one of 2021.