We’re thrilled to announce that our Deakin Business School Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Consultancy team has been recognised with a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at the 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
The team, comprising Dr Wayne Read, Associate Professor Christine Contessotto, Dr Wade Halvorson, and Professor of Practice Pete Williams, was honoured for “excellence in developing innovative WIL consultancy units that inspire students to learn, enhance student graduate employability skills, and support not-for-profits and small-to-medium enterprises.”
Making Business Education Real
Since launching in 2020, our WIL consultancy units have provided over 1,600 students with authentic consulting experiences working directly with small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profit organisations – across programs such as the Business Development Clinic. Through these consultancy projects, students apply their theoretical knowledge to real business challenges, developing practical skills that employers value.
“Our approach is driven by entrepreneurial learning pedagogy, which has significant impacts on value creation, student motivation, and skills acquisition,” says Dr Wayne Read, WIL Academic Coordinator at Deakin Business School. “These rich experiences provide industry-driven, quality alternatives to traditional internships.”
Impact on Students and Community
The program’s impact is reflected in outstanding graduate outcomes, with 87.6% of undergraduate students securing full-time employment after completing the program—higher than other Victorian universities.
Student feedback consistently highlights the program’s value: “Being able to work with a real company on a project was great as it allowed me to develop problem-solving and technical skill development in the industry,” shared one participant.
The WIL Consultancy units also create significant value for business partners. As one client noted, “Working with the Deakin Business Clinic was a transformative experience for our business. It allowed us to shift our perspective and truly ‘see the forest for the trees’.”
National Recognition
Established in 1997, the AAUT awards celebrate and reward excellence in university teaching across Australia. The Citation award specifically recognises the diversity of contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning in a specific area over a sustained period.
“The recipients of the 2024 AAUT awards represent the pinnacle of teaching and educational leadership across the country,” said Professor Angela Carbone, AAUT Director.
This national recognition follows the team’s previous achievements, including Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence in 2023 and recognition in publications by accreditation bodies AACSB and EFMD.
We’re proud of our team’s innovative approach to business education and their commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences that bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice.
Watch the Video Announcement