The University of the Sunshine Coast has received global recognition for its success embedding industry certifications into its technology degrees, helping produce job-ready graduates for Australia's growing digital workforce. 

UniSC has been named a 2026 Outstanding Centre of Excellence by education technology company Prodigy Learning, marking the second year in a row UniSC has received the distinction. 

The prestigious award places UniSC among a select group of institutions, acknowledged for delivering internationally recognised digital skills and IT certifications.

UniSC's Discipline Lead Technology Dr Erica Mealy said the award showed the University was leading the way in preparing students careers in the technology sector. 

Professor Aman Oo with Prodigy Learning COO Andrew Griggs who's presenting the Test Centre Award to Associate Professor Anthony Bedford and Dr Erica Mealy

"We're honoured to receive Prodigy Learning's highest level of recognition and to be among a select group of institutions worldwide," Dr Mealy said. 

"By embedding certifications into our programs, we're providing students with a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce. 

"At the same time, we're building a pipeline of highly skilled professionals for local industry, supporting the region's businesses to access the talent they need close to home. 

"This recognition further strengthens the region’s reputation as one of Australia's fastest growing tech and innovation hubs." 

UniSC was one of the first Australian universities to embed professional credentials from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Cisco directly into its undergraduate and postgraduate technology degrees.   

Students can complete certifications across three key areas: 

• Machine learning and artificial intelligence
• Big data, cloud computing and programming 
• Networking and cybersecurity 

Computer Science graduate Corey Neville, now an analyst with global cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, said earning industry certifications alongside his degree gave him a career head start. 

"Gaining industry certifications allowed me to stand out from the flood of job applications that recruiters and organisations receive," Mr Neville said. 

"It's helped me gain a federal internship, a cyber threat intelligence contract role and now I work full-time at a world-leading international cyber security organisation." 

UniSC first embedded industry certifications into its technology degrees in 2022. 

Since then: 

• UniSC has held more than 4,500 industry certification exams
• Students have collectively earned more than 2,240 credentials
• The Information Technology Specialist Python certification is the most awarded, with more than 635 credentials earned
• Fourteen credentials are now embedded across UniSC’s technology degrees  
• Students can now obtain up to six credentials during their studies  

The certifications are completed as part of students' regular course work.   

Industry certifications are available through the Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology, Master of Information and Communications Technology and Master of Cyber Security and Forensics.   

Prodigy Learning's Chief Operating Officer Andrew Griggs said UniSC's success demonstrated the value of combining academic learning with industry-recognised credentials.   

"UniSC has earned our highest recognition for its exceptional success in delivering digital skills training and industry certifications," Mr Griggs said.     

"These certifications prepare graduates for technology careers in Queensland, across Australia and around the world.    

"Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing graduate employability and ensuring students are ready for the workforce of the future."   

Prodigy Learning named five Outstanding Centre of Excellence winners in Australia this year, with a further 15 across the United Kingdom and Ireland. 

The other Australian institutions to receive the award were the Australian Catholic University, Murdoch University, TAFE South Australia and the Institute of Applied Technology Digital at TAFE New South Wales. 

UniSC received its first Outstanding Centre of Excellence award in 2023.