ANZ today announced strategic partnerships with the University of Queensland (UQ) and Griffith University, strengthening its long-term commitment to Queensland following its acquisition of Suncorp Bank.
The partnerships focus on advancing research and training while delivering on ANZ's commitments to Queensland. Importantly, the partnerships will help build a future-ready workforce equipped to support the future needs of our customers, enabling ANZ to deliver better financial solutions and better support for our customers.
ANZ's collaboration with Griffith University will centre on technology, cybersecurity and agriculture, while its work with the University of Queensland will focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainable energy transitions, and agricultural technology initiatives.
The University of Queensland is at the forefront of Australia's energy transition, advancing research, education, and infrastructure initiatives to address the challenges of supplying our future energy needs - an important contribution to ANZ's work in supporting the transition to net-zero.
Griffith University's strengths in digital innovation, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity are important to ANZ's work in continuing to invest in security measures and capabilities, helping protect our customers and the community from the ongoing threats of scams and financial crime.
ANZ Managing Director Queensland and Suncorp Bank Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Rush said: "We are deeply committed to unlocking the full potential of the Queensland economy, and our strategic partnerships with both universities are a testament to that vision.
"These collaborations allow us to tap into Queensland's deep well of academic expertise and emerging talent across key areas like cyber resilience, digital innovation, ESG and sustainable finance to help shape practical solutions for the industries and communities we serve. Together, we're building a Queensland pipeline of skilled talent, boosting student's readiness for the jobs of the future, right here in the Sunshine State, as well as unlocking insights that will help drive progress across some of Australia's most critical economic sectors," he said.
The University of Queensland's Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Shannon Willoughby, said UQ was keen to bring the depth of its research leadership in energy transition to the collaborations.
"The University has a suite of strengths, amplified by innovations in sustainable agriculture, smart grid technologies, and ESG-integrated policy frameworks, all underpinned by globally recognised expertise in environmental and agricultural sciences that drive scalable impact," Ms Willoughby said.
Griffith University Vice President (Industry and External Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Harch, welcomed the partnership with ANZ, a testament to the power of purposeful collaboration between industry and universities to deliver system-level impact.
"By combining ANZ's scale and ambition with Griffith's expertise in cybersecurity and fraud, digital innovation, and agriculture technology, we are creating a blueprint for future-focused workforce development and sovereign capability," Professor Harch said.
"Together, we're building the digital and ethical infrastructure Queensland needs to prosper in an increasingly complex global economy."
Activity expected from the partnerships include:
- University of Queensland
- One ESG-focused research and modelling project - on future ESG reporting requirements in Queensland
- Griffith University
- One technology and agriculture focused research project
- Develop and rollout micro-credentialing programs in digital banking and technology enabling staff and students to upskill through stackable badges and supporting integration into university syllabuses to build future workforce capability
- Both Universities will host a Hackathon in areas covering AgTech, Cybersecurity and Fraud
In July 2024, ANZ completed its acquisition of Suncorp Bank - a strategic move to strengthen its position in Queensland and expand the scale of its Retail and Commercial businesses.
