Student Activities

University of Melbourne & Telstra Partnership

Telstra actively championed a diverse range of student initiatives at the University. This commitment was exemplified through their generous financial contributions to the biannual Endeavour project showcase, the cultivation of innovative thinking via participation in Hackathons, and substantial investments in the future of technology by supporting student clubs and social events.

By engaging with our talented students, Telstra remained unwavering in their dedication to nurturing the next generation of engineers and IT experts.

Telstra reps look at a project at the Sem 1 2023 Endeavour exhibition — Telstra and University of Melbourne staff visit a student project booth at the 2023 Endeavour Awards.

Endeavour Awards

Telstra reinforced its commitment to nurturing talented University of Melbourne students by providing prizes at the biannual Endeavour Awards. This support underscored Telstra's dedication to recognizing and fostering excellence in academic and innovative pursuits. By offering these incentives, Telstra supported a culture of academic excellence and innovation, aligning with the partnership's broader commitment to investing in the development of future tech leaders.

High School and Indigenous Programs

Indigenous programs across the University were well supported by Telstra, which sponsored and contributed to the Residential Indigenous Science Experience (RISE) and the Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School (VIEWS). These programs offered exciting opportunities for Indigenous students between Years 9–12 to experience STEM industries and discover future career pathways.

Telstra also supported the annual Girl Power in Engineering and IT program, a program for female high school students, contributing towards gender parity in engineering and IT disciplines.

In 2024, the partnership launched its first-ever Tech Taster Program in collaboration with Science Gallery Melbourne, marking an exciting milestone in Telstra's mission to inspire the next generation of tech innovators. The Tech Taster Program invited high school students from rural Victoria to experience hands-on coding workshops and drone flying sessions with Telstra, encouraging curiosity and confidence in the world of tech.

Students attend a presentation in the Telstra Creator Space for RISE 2023 — Students watch a presentation in The Creator Space during RISE 2023.

Telstra scholarhip recipient Risa Pais pitches her teams project idea at the 203 Telstra FEIT Hackathon — Telstra Scholarship Recipient Risa Pais pitches her teams project at the 2023 FEIT Hackathon.

Student Innovation

Telstra championed creativity and collaboration through its support of events like the University of Melbourne Startup Pitch Competition and FEIT Hackathon. These platforms provided aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts with a stage to present their groundbreaking ideas.

By actively participating in these events, Telstra fostered a culture of idea exchange and established connections with future innovators. Such initiatives not only contributed to the development of cutting-edge technologies but also solidified Telstra's leadership in driving advancements within the telecommunications industry.