Building a shared foundation for university-industry engagement
Client: University of Melbourne (UoM)
Years: 2022-2023
Participants: 75+ Professional Staff
The challenge
The University of Melbourne had invested heavily in business development, industry partnerships, and innovation precincts, with professionals ranging from newcomers to colleagues with more than 30 years of experience. While expertise was abundant, approaches to engagement varied across teams. The university wanted to strengthen capability, create a shared foundation for collaboration, and equip staff to engage industry partners more strategically
The UIIN approach
Over 2022-2023, UIIN designed and delivered a tailored professional development programme for more than 75 staff members, combining:
- Ten intensive learning days delivered over 12 months
- Practical tools and frameworks for university-business collaboration
- Expert mentoring and coaching from international practitioners
- Personal application projects focused on real workplace challenges
- The programme was delivered twice, with the second cohort building on the success of the first.
After the successful implementation in 2022, the program was delivered again in 2023, further refining and expanding its impact.
What We Found
Participants faced different challenges depending on their experience levels, but many shared the same need: practical frameworks that could help them navigate partnerships, communicate value, and engage external stakeholders more effectively. Teams also benefited from developing a common language and approach to collaboration.
The Outcome
✓ Over 75 professional staff trained across two cohorts
✓ Stronger capability in partnership development and external engagement
✓ Greater confidence in navigating industry collaborations and knowledge exchange
✓ A shared set of frameworks and tools used across teams
✓ Enhanced alignment and collaboration between departments engaged in external partnerships
Key Lesson
Capability building is not only about developing individual skills. For large universities, creating a shared language, common frameworks, and a consistent approach to external engagement can be just as valuable as the training itself.
Client Reflection
“UIIN created a fantastic program tailored to our business development and partnership teams. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Couldn’t recommend more highly”.
— Georgia von Guttner, Former Director, Innovation Precincts, University of Melbourne
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