How your organisation can partner with the AUT Business School

Workplace experience is an essential part of our Bachelor of Business and ensures that our students are ready to hit the deck running in their chosen careers.

Find out more about workplace experience.

Provide students with a real-life business case and share an issue your industry is facing through our postgraduate applied business projects.

Applied projects for postgraduate business students

Our Shadow a Leader student-industry experience week is a great opportunity to connect with our students. Shadow a Leader allows a student to follow an industry leader for a day to understand what it takes to succeed in the leader’s field of endeavour.

Find out more about Shadow a Leader.

There are many ways students and industry are connected. Industry can get involved by providing scholarships, mentoring or presenting to students, sponsoring a student club or a student award, exhibiting at a career fair, promoting initiatives via our student channels, or hosting a student as a representative on your organisation's board.

• Recruit a student or graduate: find AUT talent for your business
• Take part in employer events and promote your business on campus
• Share your expertise and experience with student clubs

More ways to connect with students

• Sponsor student initiatives or provide scholarships and awards
• Guest lecture in your area of expertise
• Attend events and network with industry peers and subject experts
• Mentor students through our final-year marketing pitch projects

Get in touch if you’re interested in these other ways to connect with our students.

Our students proactively self-manage business clubs and societies. The clubs represent the interests of AUT's business students and enhance their experience of business. Clubs organise speaker events featuring local and global business leaders, arrange site visits to organisations and work to build the soft skills needed for after university.

We invite you to get involved. Your contribution will prepare our student club members for real-world expectations, and your support will act as a catalyst for their career advancement once they've graduated. By engaging with club executive members, you can also enjoy the stimulating company of some very bright and motivated young people.

Find out more about Student Clubs.

The AUT Business School connects with industry, community and our alumni through various initiatives, in various ways. Our industry advisory board and international alumni reference group keep us relevant and connected by informing us on current trends and providing advice on strategy and initiatives.

Our industry advisory board and international alumni reference group

Our researchers are recognised experts in their field who work in multidisciplinary teams on key research programmes that address important societal challenges and complex issues. Our research centres and groups conduct interdisciplinary research in collaboration with business, the professions, government and the wider community. We are proud of our strong links and are always looking for new opportunities to partner with industry, communities and alumni.

Find out more about our research projects.

Positive change happens when organisations work together. We partner with organisations that are helping build a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable future. These relationships enrich our teaching, strengthen our research and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with real-world challenges.

Centre for Social Impact

Our partnership with the Centre for Social Impact helps strengthen the integration of social impact across our teaching, research and community engagement. Through leadership and expertise in systems change and community-led development, the Centre provides valuable insights that help ensure our programmes prepare students to create positive impact and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

Sustainable Business Network (SBN)

Our partnership with the Sustainable Business Network gives students opportunities to connect with leaders driving sustainability across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through access to events such as our SBN x AUT x ONE factory tour, networking opportunities, industry connections and experiential learning initiatives, students gain valuable insights into sustainable business practice while building relationships with organisations creating positive environmental and social impact.

Young Sustainability Leaders

Our partnership with Young Sustainability Leaders helps connect students with emerging voices and changemakers in sustainability. Together, we co-host the annual Creating Positive Futures Roundtable, bringing students, academics and industry leaders together to explore current challenges and opportunities.

Beyond the event, Young Sustainability Leaders supports student employability through mentoring, skills development and engagement with our sustainability-focused student community.

KPMG Kiwa Mentoring Programme

The KPMG Kiwa Mentoring Programme supports Māori and Pacific tertiary students as they prepare for their careers. Through mentoring, workshops and professional development opportunities, students build confidence, strengthen their employability skills and gain insights into navigating recruitment processes and workplace culture.

Trans-Tasman Business Circle (TTBC)

In partnership with the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, we host events that connect students, academics and industry leaders to explore the issues shaping the future of business. These discussions provide insights into leadership, innovation, sustainability and economic growth, creating opportunities for learning, networking and real-world engagement.