PEXA and Victoria University join forces to support next generation of digital talent

PEXA Group Limited (ASX:PXA), operator of the world’s first digital property exchange platform, and Victoria University (VU) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the digital talent of tomorrow as part of a two-year partnership, which includes the establishment of a PEXA Academy at the VU City Campus.

The agreement will see PEXA and VU draw on the significant networks and capabilities of both organisations to create opportunities for the digital-ready workforce of the future. Initiatives will include jointly sponsored ‘hack days’, graduate/internship programs, development of capstone projects for students to solve real-life business problems, as well as knowledge-sharing and roundtables on key issues such as cyber security, Artificial Intelligence, and data analysis about housing affordability and homelessness.

In addition to a range of industry immersion opportunities for VU students, PEXA will also contribute an initial $10,000 towards VU’s technology-focussed merit-based student awards, with any balance to be directed to VU’s Student Support Fund to help students with cost-of-living relief so they can continue to invest in their learning.

The MOU was signed at VU’s City Campus by VU Chancellor the Honourable Steve Bracks and PEXA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Glenn King. They were joined by Acting Vice Chancellor Dianne Semmens, PEXA Chief People Officer Sabina Sopov, and PEXA Chief Information Technology Security Officer David Willett.

The partnership builds on VU’s flipped campus strategy that redefines the traditional university campus by bringing at least one strong, industry-aligned partner on to every VU campus by 2028. Chancellor Bracks said VU was thrilled to have PEXA as its newest strategic partner to drive innovation and collaboration. 

“Having members of the PEXA team here at our City Campus will leverage their expertise and experiences while providing valuable opportunities for VU students,” said Chancellor Bracks.

“Synergy and value alignment are central to our partnerships. We partner those we can meaningfully collaborate with and learn alongside, for the benefit of our students and staff. We are honoured to have this opportunity to contribute to PEXA’s important work,” he said.

Glenn King heralded the partnership: “PEXA is a Melbourne-born success story – a product of collaboration between government, industry and consumers. We are proud of our legacy as digital disrupters and are passionate about nurturing the new generation of digital talent.”

“Our purpose is connecting people to place – home buyers with sellers, government with real-time data insights, and also championing the need for all citizens to have safe and affordable shelter. We want to continue this work in partnership with like-minded institutions such as VU,” said Mr King.

PEXA Chief People Officer Sabina Sopov said the collaboration between PEXA and VU was an example of PEXA’s broader aspirations to identify, incubate and accelerate strong strategic relationships with the tertiary sector.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with VU to design and deliver a shared value program that builds collective understanding, capability, and action,” said Ms Sopov.

The two-year MOU covers a range of initiatives including:

• PEXA Academy on campus – through a leasing agreement, PEXA will have a presence at the VU City Tower, part of the University’s City Campus, providing unique opportunities to collaborate, co-design and facilitate engagement with students and staff;
• Talent and future workforce development – PEXA and VU will foster the next generation of students, ensuring they are job-ready and have the digital skills of the future and opportunities with the PEXA graduate and internship programs;
• Financial support for students – PEXA will provide an initial contribution of $10,000 in FY23 towards technology-focussed merit-based student awards, with opportunities for long-term scholarship programs;
• Enhancement of PEXA’s Learning Academy – identifying opportunities for VU to support PEXA on the delivery of its internal learning and development program for employees; and
• A focus on diversity and inclusion collaboration – an important value to both organisations, allowing the pair to develop shared learning and knowledge that extends existing inclusion initiatives.

The first series of initiatives will kick off over the coming months.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Tricarico, Head of Corporate Affairs – PEXA

E: danielle.tricarico@pexa.com.au

Ann Marie Angebrandt, Media Adviser, Victoria University

E: annmarie.angebrandt@vu.edu.au; M: 0401 100 576 Email and mobile