Deakin launches Professional Skills Uplift Program

Deakin University is launching a Professional Skills Uplift program for its higher degree by research students, many of whom have been restricted in their ability to continue their research on campus during COVID-induced lockdowns in Victoria.

The program delivers an uplift of transferrable skills within contemporary topics and emerging fields.

Deakin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Alfred Deakin Professor Julie Owens is excited to share this opportunity with higher degree by research students.

“We want to ensure our research students can continue their professional development at a time when they are experiencing constraints on their research on campus, in the field or where they normally work with industry partners, but cannot currently do so, due to pandemic restrictions,” Professor Owens said.

“We know that the value of an advanced research degree extends beyond both the knowledge and expertise gained and their development as an independent researcher, through undertaking their specific research project. The Professional Skills Uplift program has been designed to allow students to extend their professional skills, technical knowledge and leadership capabilities, which will only add to their employability and career opportunities once their research is completed.”

COVID-induced lockdowns were not expected, but the ability to be flexible and offer new opportunities quickly is another example of why Deakin University holds the reputation of one of Australia’s best young universities.

Deakin Research partnered with DeakinCo (Deakin’s workplace education and accreditation provider) to deliver the additional skills training for Deakin’s higher degree by research students.

The Professional Skills Uplift program delivers an uplift of transferrable skills in contemporary topics and emerging fields. Courses are 100% online, giving students the flexibility to study anywhere, anytime and around their other commitments.

Course capabilities range from project management, communication, critical thinking and design thinking, to financial management, leadership and data marketing.

Completed courses will be recorded in a student’s Individual Learning Plan and Portfolio of Assets, providing them with invaluable transferrable skills once they enter or re-enter the workplace with a higher degree by research.

Launching August 31st, the Professional Skills Uplift program offers higher degree by research students a choice of completing up to eight free courses across 19 capabilities. There are up to three levels of competency within each capability, resulting in a total of 52 courses offered to students.

For more information download the Professional Skills Uplift program brochure (PDF, 821.3KB)