Next gen business thinkers tackle real-world issues

Partnership at a glance:

• National Australia Bank (NAB) and La Trobe University partnered to offer business analytics students a hands-on project focused on real-world industry challenges
• Students used predictive analytics and innovative technology to streamline support for NAB’s Disaster Relief Grants program
• Students explored both technical solutions and the human impact of disaster relief, guided by industry mentorship and insights from NAB’s sustainability team
• This successful collaboration is expanding, with additional sustainability focused projects planned for future students.

National Australia Bank (NAB) and La Trobe University are giving students more than just classroom knowledge – they’re equipping them with hands-on experience in solving real-world industry challenges.

NAB partnered with La Trobe’s Business School to design a project for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Analytics program’s capstone course. Through work-integrated learning (WIL), students gain valuable, practical skills under the guidance of industry mentors.

Subject coordinator and lecturer Dr Shalinka Jayatilleke aimed to give students “a real project to work on throughout the entire semester”, combining business analytics with technical and computer science skills.

“We’d been talking to NAB about how we could work together to provide students with a project, especially one aligned with La Trobe’s Business School’s focus on sustainability and the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals,” says Dr Jayatilleke.

That sustainability element was important for NAB, too. “NAB has a key role to play in supporting Australia’s transition to net zero,” says Cameron Briscoe, NAB’s Senior Consultant Partnerships, who helped develop the challenge for the students to solve.

“We jumped at the opportunity to partner with La Trobe to deliver a project that could have a positive impact on the student-learning experience, as well as enhancing outcomes for our communities.”

The students’ task focused on NAB’s flagship sustainability program – NAB Ready Together – which aims to help Australians withstand and recover from natural disasters. They explored ways to provide disaster-relief grants for customers by making the process faster and more responsive using cutting-edge technology. Students also examined predictive tools for identifying disaster-prone areas, like those at risk of bushfires or floods.

Students were encouraged to consider the human impact of their work. Mr Briscoe emphasised the importance of “applying a lens of empathy” to make the process easier for customers facing hardship. Dr Jayatilleke agreed, noting that affected customers may not be “in the right headspace to deal with paperwork” after a disaster.

Students suggested solutions that combined predictive analytics with customer-facing communications, like sending a message to customers ahead of time if a natural disaster was predicted in their area to help them prepare.

Throughout the project, NAB provided students with mentorship and insights from its sustainability team and other departments. “Preparing students for working in industry is one of the most important outcomes for universities,” Mr Briscoe says, noting that real-world challenges build critical thinking and workplace skills.

At the end of the course, students presented their findings to a panel of NAB and La Trobe representatives, showcasing fresh ideas for enriching NAB’s disaster-relief process.

“In essence, the students were acting as theoretical consultants,” says Mr Briscoe. “Their presentations were extremely detailed, and we valued the insights and research they uncovered.”

Student Darshinee Sunyasi says she found the course very different to a traditional internship. “Having a representative who was directly involved in addressing the business problems felt like having a manager constantly providing feedback,” she says.

Building on this success, NAB has already wrapped up a new sustainability project with the semester two cohort studying the Analytics Project subject, centred around developing sustainable farm-to-table solutions. NAB and La Trobe are now planning further collaborations for 2025.

Mr Briscoe says it’s been fantastic working with La Trobe. “It’s clear La Trobe is committed to positive outcomes for the environment, and to work with an engaged partner aligned with our strategy is always excellent,” he says.

“We’re proud of our work so far and look forward to building on the partnership in the future.”

If you are a member of industry and interested in La Trobe’s student industry placement program, connect with La Trobe Talent.

For general La Trobe Industry Engagement enquiries, email industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au