Swinburne launches Adobe Creative Campus partnership in Australian first for digital literacy

Swinburne has today officially launched its Adobe Creative Campus status – the first university in Australia to do so.

It joins an exclusive group of approximately 20 universities and colleges globally who share a commitment to ensuring their students have the digital literacy skills required in today’s digital world.

All Swinburne staff and students now have full access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite on their work and personal devices, which includes applications and services for graphic design, video editing, web development and photography applications and services.  

Digital literacy as a key future-ready skill

Swinburne’s approach to digital literacy provides students with the awareness, abilities and confidence to use digital technologies to work with data and content, and to create, problem solve and communicate effectively. 

Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Duncan Bentley, says being part of an Adobe Creative Campus will enable students to excel in digital literacy and enhance their employability with fundamental skills for the future of work.

“Graduates and employees require digital skills to be productive in the workforce of the future and aligned to the growing digital economy and society. This partnership with Adobe supports Swinburne’s technological focus and commitment to preparing future-ready graduates. Adobe tools will support the transformation of Swinburne’s learning, teaching and assessment with more creative and engaging approaches,” says Professor Bentley. 

The Australian Industry Group’s (AIG) Workforce Development Needs Survey Report has highlighted digital literacies as an essential foundational skill as businesses adapt to new technologies and digitally-enabled environments.

AIG Chief Executive, Mr Innes Willox, says: “As businesses adapt to new digital technologies they are facing new demands on their workforce capabilities and cultures. The education sector must adapt quickly to the changing needs of the digital economy to ensure graduate employability and successful, future-focused businesses. The partnership between industry and education is more important than ever.”

“Swinburne achieving Adobe Creative Campus status and its focus on digital literacies provides its students with a pathway to the skills they need for their careers and the graduates businesses need for their successful future.”

Digital literacy embedded at Swinburne

Digital literacy capabilities will be embedded in Swinburne courses, including innovations to learning activities and assessment tasks enabled through Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Visual, audio and animation skills will be developed to advance students’ creative and persuasive digital communications expertise.

Associate Professor Sandra Luxton from the Faculty of Business and Law says her students will use Adobe Creative Cloud to enable innovation in assessment practices.

“The Swinburne digital literacies program and the Adobe Creative Campus will support the transformation of learning and assessment through the use of innovative video, audio and digital presentation formats. This enriches our students’ academic experience and prepares them with digital skills and confidence for the future workforce.”

A Digital Literacies Hub will be constructed in the Hawthorn library precinct for staff and students to access one-on-one training in Adobe products from student digital coaches.

“Swinburne has a key focus on technology, innovation, digital literacy and the future of work with its expertise in the fourth industrial revolution and rapid technological change. This partnership with Adobe will enrich Swinburne’s digital offerings, ensuring students are job-ready and equipped for the workforce of the future,” says Professor Bentley.

Adobe is supporting the appointment of a professorial position to lead scholarship, research and innovation in digital literacies education, complementing other specialist centres at Swinburne including the Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre and the Centre for the New Workforce.

Managing Director of Adobe Australia and New Zealand, Ms Suzanne Steele, says: “Adobe recognises the value of teaching digital literacy skills in higher education by preparing students for success in the classroom and in the modern economy.”

”By collaborating with institutions around the world that align on similar student outcomes through Adobe Creative Campus, Swinburne serves as an example to other academic leaders that are looking to transform education and drive innovation.”

Instructions for Swinburne students and staff to download and use Adobe Creative Cloud are available online.

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