La Trobe University has unveiled a bold ambition to transform research, education, student support and business operations by applying an ‘AI-first’ approach, supported by a new partnership with Microsoft Australia and New Zealand and leading cyber security provider CyberCX.
Harnessing the unique expertise of each partner, this nation-leading project will deliver an AI-ready workforce of graduates and academics, built on key principles of safety and responsibility.
The three-year partnership will fuel the University’s Responsible AI Adoption Strategy to:
- Integrate AI into curricula to prepare graduates for an AI-ready workforce
- Encourage staff to embrace an AI-first mindset, training them to use AI safely, ethically and responsibly to enhance productivity and improve student experience
- Leverage AI to push the frontier of scientific knowledge, especially in bio-innovation
- Set industry standards for the responsible use of AI in scientific discovery, innovation and commercialisation.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said that partnering with two world-leading companies in digital technology and cyber security helps realise the University’s strategic intent to be at the forefront of AI innovation and education.
“La Trobe has an ambitious vision to become a university of choice for students, employers and partners seeking AI-empowered talent,” Professor Farrell said.
“AI is revolutionising society at great speed and La Trobe is committed to ensuring our community is empowered to adapt and succeed in this exciting new world.”
The partnership with Microsoft and CyberCX will also provide opportunities to build expertise and experience for the La Trobe community through guest lecturers, industry participation, scholarships and skills programs, cyber careers promotion, funding for digital transformation, industry-recognised certifications and micro-credentials.
“Technology, particularly AI, provides immense opportunities for our community and we want to be at the forefront of embracing and implementing these cutting-edge technologies,” Professor Farrell said.
Key to the partnership is a focus on the security of La Trobe’s systems and processes as developments are made with AI.
“As we develop our own technological capabilities for students, staff, researchers and partners, including enhanced use of AI, it is important that innovation is balanced with security,” Professor Farrell said.
“We are pleased to have CyberCX and Microsoft help make the University more resilient to cyber threats while building our AI presence and capability.”
“La Trobe University is leading the way in using AI to transform the university experience for its staff, students and stakeholders,” said Microsoft Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Steven Worrall. “We are pleased to be partnering with the university to help it embrace an AI-first approach and safely and responsibly build AI into strategic areas of its operations, curriculum and research capabilities.”
CyberCX CEO John Paitaridis said, “Our joint investment in this partnership will provide a secure environment to La Trobe while unlocking the future opportunities of disruptive technologies such as AI, furthering research, teaching and learning at the University.”
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.
About CyberCX
CyberCX is the leading provider of end-to-end cyber security and cloud services. With a workforce of 1,400 cyber security professionals and headquartered in Victoria, CyberCX is a trusted partner to private and public sector organisations, helping customers confidently manage cyber risk, respond to incidents, and build resilience in an increasingly complex and challenging threat environment.
About La Trobe University
For more than 50 years, La Trobe University has been transforming people and societies. The University works collaboratively across disciplines and with partners to develop fresh ways of thinking and conducting research – constantly seeking new ways to engage with and better serve its partners and communities, to build relationships and develop solutions for the issues facing society. Along with holding its top 300 ranking in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024, La Trobe earned the prestigious ‘Most Improved – Oceania Award’ in the QS World University Rankings 2025, rising 183 places over the past five years to claim its new spot at 217 of the 1,500 universities evaluated. Read more about La Trobe here.
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Media contact (La Trobe): [email protected] | Charisse Ede: 0404 030 698