BMW Group + QUT Design Academy

Design education plays a critical role in preparing students for a successful career. Theoretical knowledge alone is not enough to equip them with the necessary skills to excel in their profession, and the need for practical, real-world exposure has become critical in today’s rapidly changing world. The policy for this initiative involved developing a program to facilitate practical experience through internships, workshops, and industry collaborations, allowing students to work on real-world projects, understand industry challenges and limitations, and gain insights into the latest trends and cutting-edge technologies at a truly global scale with the world’s leading premium automotive manufacturer.

The Academy has established a successful long-term partnership, facilitating practical, authentic, real-world experiences with a global industry leader at a scale rarely seen at an Australian university. This level of success necessitates ongoing commitment and trust. The Academy was initiated in 2016 with one design intern and expanding significantly ever since.. Key achievements include the singing of an International Collaborative Agreement (2018), launch of the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy (2020), endowment of a BMW M8 Competition Coupe (2022), three full-time contracts for design students at BMW Group and associated subsidiaries including idealworks, and facilitating over 100 design student internships.

The BMW Group + QUT Design Academy has significantly impacted academia and industry. On the student/academic end, it has facilitated over 100 internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students, fostering practical experience and pushing the boundaries of education. For industry, the Academy undertakes special projects for BMW Group and partners, addressing advanced research and development challenges, facilitating innovation in both sustainability and technology integration across automotive design, advanced manufacturing, production, and logistics. Together, they create a dynamic ecosystem where students, academics, and industry professionals converge to drive innovation;, shaping the future of design, making meaningful contributions to academia and industry alike.

BMW Group + QUT Design Academy was founded on a clear policy serving QUT’s and BMW’s mission, leveraging university and industry nexus through the dynamic interaction between Internships, Research, and Special Projects. Internships enhance students professional development through a 6-level advancement track, promoting technical and personal capabilities via paid internships at BMW and idealworks. The Research pillar allows postgraduates to conduct world-class research on advanced manufacturing, robotics, human-machine interfaces, and design thinking. Special Projects involve Design Associates working on active industry projects for BMW Group and idealworks. The synergy between the three pillars is vital. Internships cultivate an effective pool of students with skills relevant to industry, and those required for Special Projects. Internships also pave the way for future ventures through Special Projects. Further, interns might pursue Masters and PhD’s, supporting the Research pillar. Special Projects with BMW Group and idealworks increases the Academy’s reputation, attracting more students. Through effective policy, the Academy has rapidly evolved into a high-performing teaching, research, and professional workspace for students, graduates and designers to hone skills, advance learning, and work on pioneering projects. Concurrently, BMW Group and idealworks benefits by staying at the forefront of innovation through the application of design and emerging technologies.