Cracking the code to success: Computer Science Schools with world-class industry links

Earlier this year, the news broke that Cambridge Analytica had harvested information from more than 50 million Facebook profiles without permission, using this data to build a system that could target US voters with personalised political advertisements based on their psychological profile.

Meanwhile Fornite Battle Royale, a computer game used in middle-school playgrounds, at frat house parties or on million-view YouTube livestreams has been heralded a cultural phenomenon, changing the way young people share and communicate.

Computer Science is everywhere, shaping our world through everything from politics to entertainment, socialising to industry; underpinning every aspect of our lives, whether it’s data protection and cyber security, methods of online communication, or gaming and virtual reality.

Choosing to study Computer Science is an obvious choice for those with an interest in the tech world, whether you have the creativity to design new games or the skill and nuance to master cyber security and ethical hacking.

Source: Curtin University

But in an industry that changes so rapidly, those pursuing the subject must not only learn its fundamentals, but also how to cope with and master its evolutions, constantly progressing with the world of technology. Industry experience and practical skills will set you apart from other candidates, so choosing a school with desirable industry links is crucial.

With innumerable job opportunities in this ever-expanding sector, choosing a career in ICT or Computer Science at a school with world class industry connections will put you ahead of the curve in the next generation of graduates.

That’s why we’ve chosen four schools in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore with reputable ties to industry from which you can take your pick!

AUCKLAND ICT GRADUATE SCHOOL – NEW ZEALAND

The Auckland ICT Graduate School works alongside the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry to produce highly-skilled, work-ready IT graduates.

In such a dynamic, future-facing industry, there’s a huge demand for IT graduates and the Auckland ICT Graduate School equips students with an interest or background in ICT with the skills to “hit the ground running”.

Source: Auckland ICT Graduate School

The Postgraduate Certificate in Information Technology (PGCertInfoTech) is a coursework-based programme for students new to information technology (IT) systems.

Students are taught fundamental skills in software development, which complements existing knowledge and skills from the non-IT degree, equipping graduates with skills needed to find employment in their first professional ICT role.

The Master of Information Technology (MInfoTech) is contributing qualified graduates with a diverse range of technical and non-technical skills who can develop highly-innovative solutions that address industry needs. As part of this programme, students undertake a 10-week full-time internship.

Students become “industry-ready” by gaining skills in a specialist area, an increased understanding of workplace norms, and the experience of the development and commercialisation of technology products and services.

The 10-week industry internship improves students’ ICT knowledge and develops communication, entrepreneurial and critical thinking skills, while building understanding of the ICT Industry.

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, CURTIN UNIVERSITY – AUSTRALIA

Curtin University, Western Australia is ranked in the top one percent of universities worldwide in the highly-regarded Academic Ranking of World Universities 2018. With the Curtin Institute for Computation (CIC) running inspirational seminars, lectures and weekly Hacky Hours, a decision to study at Curtin will place you at the cutting-edge of Computer Science worldwide.

Source: Curtin University

The Computing department at the school acknowledges that the Information Technology industry is constantly evolving, so product-specific skills quickly become obsolete.

For this reason, the primary focus of computing courses at Curtin is to impart fundamental knowledge and skills that will help build your career as you become a lifelong learner.

At Curtin, you will learn about all aspects of Computing through a wide array of graduate and postgraduate courses; for example how to programme computers, administer networks, create design software and multimedia, how to develop computer games, and how to use artificial intelligence in real life situations.

You can also study cyber security and learn how to protect computers and systems from hackers. You’ll get the chance to explore new technology and show your creative flair and eye for technical detail.

Check out this video for more of an insight into the Computer Science department at Curtin.

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MONASH UNIVERSITY – MALAYSIA

Monash Malaysia’s Computer Science program doesn’t just emphasize the fundamentals of computer science and engineering, but also stresses practical skills acquisition and experience.

Source: Monash University Malaysia

With strong links to industries, this school can offer experiential learning opportunities through the Industry Insight module and Industrial Experience. This facet of the Computer Science school aims to prepare students for the world of work and broadens their network to increase career opportunities.

Through the industry network, graduates have increased career opportunities at businesses such as cyber security experts F-Secure Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, Parametric Graphical Configuration, software developers Configura Pacific Sdn Bhd and Monster Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd, who develop job searching software.

The school offers Bachelor of Computer Science and Master of Business Information Systems, and the quality of the programme is underpinned by the undifferentiated degree and accreditation with the Australian Computer Society.

With such strong industry links and the reputation and expertise of Monash University, why not take your Computer Science career to the next level at this exciting, vibrant Malaysia campus.

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY – SINGAPORE

The School of Computer Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University is the only school in Singapore that offers graduate and undergraduate training in both Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

It offers a variety of computer science and computer engineering bachelor’s degrees, but also offers the exciting and innovative opportunities to broaden study through collaboration with other schools.

Source: Nanyang Technological University

For example, you can take a Double Degree in Business & Computer Engineering or Computer Science, with the Bachelor of Business portion awarded by Nanyang Business School, or a Double Degree in Economics & Computer Engineering or Computer Science with the Bachelor of Arts in Economics awarded by School of Humanities and Social Sciences. This will expand your area of expertise, increasing job opportunities in the business sector.

Following this tradition of innovation, the school now offers a new course for 2018 – a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, aimed at visionary students who aspire to master the demands of integrating the disciplines of computer science and statistics and find innovative solutions to society’s pressing challenges using both data science and artificial intelligence (AI).

The school ranks 1^st in Asia for Computer Science and Engineering in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2017), offering you the chance to take your studies to the next level with postgraduate programmes that include an MSc in Embedded Systems, MSc in Digital Media Technology and MSc in Information Systems.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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