NORTH Link’s Data Analytics Hub is excited to offer a range of collaborative projects that connect local businesses with talented students and researchers from leading Victorian universities and TAFES. These industry-partnered initiatives provide a unique opportunity to solve real business challenges, build innovation pipelines, and tap into emerging skills across data analytics, engineering, marketing, social media, and more. Whether you’re interested in hosting an intern, participating as an industry speaker, or working with students on strategic projects, each program is designed to deliver mutual value, with low risk and high impact.

To express your interest, simply complete the Expression of Interest form.

Below are the projects that we want to explore with businesses. 

RMIT

RM-001 PhD Internships 

Seeking businesses to host Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates for a 6-month, $18,000 stipend-based internship. This unique opportunity enables your business to tackle complex challenges, fast-track R&D, and unlock data-informed insights grounded in cutting-edge academic research. Your business can solve real business problems using evidence-based research, explore new market opportunities through emerging data trends, and access world-class academic supervision and research infrastructure. The collaboration will strengthen your team’s internal research capabilities while helping to build long-term innovation pipelines. Additionally, this program provides a cost-effective model with a flexible, high-impact outcome. 

Key areas for potential collaboration include Supply Chain & Logistics, Finance, Cyber Security, AI & Data Analytics, and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG). 

Latrobe University  

LU-001 – Engineering Internships 

Partner with education to host an Engineering or Manufacturing student for a 6–12 month internship—students complete 800 hours and are funded through an $18,000 industry scholarship provided by the business. Gain access to emerging talent equipped with the latest knowledge in system design, AI, robotics, and sustainable engineering. This is a low-risk, high-impact opportunity to build your future workforce, boost innovation, and contribute to the development of the next generation of engineers.  

LU-002 – Social Media Strategy 

Partner with Social Media students to gain a tailored social media strategy grounded in current research and insights. This includes a comprehensive social media audit, competitor analysis, and the development of detailed customer personas to better understand and target your audience. The outcome also delivers two customised social media campaign concepts designed to boost engagement, increase brand awareness, and support your broader business objectives. 

Kangan Institute  

KI-001 – How data is used in Business (Industry Speaker) 

We’re seeking an industry leader from the manufacturing or health sector to speak with TAFE students about the real-world application of digital transformation, data-driven decision making, and Industry 4.0. This is an opportunity to share your insights on how emerging technologies such as IoT, automation, data analytics, and AI are reshaping your industry, improving outcomes, and driving innovation. 

Your experience will help students connect theory to practice and better understand the challenges and opportunities facing modern businesses in a digital-first world.  

KI-002 – Real world examples of Data Projects (Industry Speaker)

We are inviting industry leaders to speak about real-world digital and data-driven transformation projects within their organisations. These sessions aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice by giving students direct insight into how businesses are using data, technology, and innovation to drive change and solve complex challenges with examples.  

We’re looking for businesses that can provide end-to-end, in-depth case studies—projects that span from problem identification through to solution design, implementation, and measurable outcomes, collecting and cleaning data, analysing insights, through to implementation and measurable impact. Ideally, projects will include practical examples, tools, or datasets. Ideally, these examples will include elements or data sets that students can explore further, allowing them to apply their learning through hands-on practice with real-world scenarios. Whether your business has adopted automated internal processes, leveraged data analytics to drive business decisions, or transformed customer experiences through technology, your story can provide valuable insights. 

Melbourne Polytechnic  

MP-001 – Data Analytics 

Collaborate with students to gain real-time visibility into your key metrics through a custom Power BI dashboard. This year-long, classroom-based capstone project is fully remote – no on-site student placement is required. Students will develop a custom Power BI-style dashboard current knowledge to deliver real-time visibility of key metrics, automate manual reporting and inform data decision-making. By integrating both internal data and relevant public datasets, the dashboard will provide real-time visibility into key metrics that your wanting to achieve and align with your strategic priorities – offering lasting value well beyond the project period. 

MP-002 – Business Project 

Collaborate with final-year students that have a multidiscipline project teams with a background from Business, Hospitality, and Accounting programs to tackle real-world business challenges. Students apply their academic knowledge to develop innovative, strategic solutions tailored to your business needs. Whether it’s a market analysis, product innovation, or a business strategy, the project outcomes—delivered as a professional report and/or presentation—offer valuable insights and actionable recommendations, with minimal time investment required from your team. 

MP-003 – Marketing Project 

Collaborate with students on strategic marketing planning projects that provide your business with fresh insights and practical, research-backed recommendations. The process begins with students completing an individual situational analysis report, examining your organisation’s marketing environment to identify key opportunities and challenges. This foundational research then informs a comprehensive group strategic marketing plan, tailored to your specific objectives. The collaboration offers a low-risk, high-value opportunity to access new thinking, external perspectives, and strategies grounded in real-world analysis. 

MP-004 – Graphic Design Project 

Collaborate with design students on a creative project tailored to your business needs, whether it’s logo development, product labels, or visual assets for new or existing offerings. Students will apply their skills in branding, packaging, and digital design to deliver professional, concepts that align with your brand and target audience. 

Victoria University

VU-001 – Data Analytics Project 

Final-year students for seeking 8-week onsite data analytics internships, designed to provide students with hands-on experience while delivering valuable insights to your business. Student will work on a real data challenge in your business—whether it’s optimising operations, understanding customer behaviour, analysing sales or performance trends, or building internal dashboards. Students will work on end-to-end analytics projects, from data cleaning and exploration through to visualisation and strategic recommendations. 

Deakin University

DU-001 –  Business/Data Analytics Project 

Host final-year students for 12-week onsite data analytics internship, where students will apply their skills to deliver real insights and practical value to your organisation. These internships are designed to address a current business challenge through data—whether it’s improving operational efficiency, understanding customer trends, building dashboards, or uncovering performance insights. Students will undertake end-to-end analytics projects, from data preparation and analysis to actionable recommendations. To ensure the best outcomes for both student and business, each placement requires a dedicated mentor within your organisation—someone who can provide guidance, context, and feedback throughout the project. This mentorship not only enhances the student’s learning experience but ensures alignment with your business goals. 

Contact David Chasemore at d.chasemore@latrobe.edu.au for further enquiries.