HCLTech and The University of Western Australia (UWA) have announced a new collaboration to co-develop globally accessible micro-credential programs in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, aimed at fast-tracking advanced digital skills for learners around the world.
The partnership, unveiled as part of UWA’s Enterprise Education ecosystem, will create short, stackable courses that blend university-level teaching with industry projects in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, ethical hacking and secure coding. The initiative is the first global micro-credential project under UWA’s Enterprise Education framework, which is designed to connect academic learning with real-world job readiness.
The new micro-credentials are designed for students, early-career professionals and mid-career workers needing to upskill or reskill as AI and cyber threats reshape workplaces. Each program will be co-branded, with participants receiving certificates recognised by both UWA and HCLTech, and clear pathways into further study or industry roles.
“At HCLTech, we’ve been working with universities and enterprises to make learning practical, accessible and aligned with real-world job opportunities,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head, EdTech Business at HCLTech.
“Through our collaboration with The University of Western Australia, we will enable learners to build skills that matter, empowering them to apply their knowledge to real opportunities and drive meaningful impact.”
The courses will use a blended model, combining online delivery with hands-on, project-based learning drawn from real industry use cases. Learners will work on problems reflective of current enterprise needs, from adversarial attacks on AI systems to incident response in complex corporate networks.
The announcement comes as UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma leads a 10-day mission to India, where the university is preparing to open its first overseas campuses in Mumbai and Chennai. UWA will be the first member of Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities to establish a physical teaching presence in India.
Professor Chakma said the HCLTech partnership is a key part of UWA’s strategy to offer “future-focused, flexible learning” to a global audience.
“We are passionate about tech innovation and global learning, where this new partnership will further equip learners with the skills and confidence required to thrive in a fast-changing digital world.”
The micro-credentials will sit within UWA’s broader Enterprise Education ecosystem, which focuses on scalable, industry-connected pathways – from short courses and professional certificates to full degrees – tailored for workers who need to upskill without stepping out of the workforce.
The initiative has won support from the Australian Government as an example of deepening Australia–India education and technology ties.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, said the collaboration reflects “Australia-India economic synergy”, combining UWA’s academic expertise with HCLTech’s experience delivering large-scale technology solutions across AI, cloud and cybersecurity.
He said, noting that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for advanced digital skills,
“UWA and HCLTech’s partnership will deliver a future-ready, job-ready education opportunity in AI and cybersecurity direct to India’s youth.”
HCLTech, which employs more than 226,000 people in 60 countries and reported US$14.2 billion in revenue over the 12 months to September 2025, has identified AI-powered cybersecurity and ecosystem partnerships as central to its global strategy. Its own research suggests more than 80 per cent of enterprise security leaders expect to face a cyberattack within a year, underscoring the demand for specialists who can combine AI with cyber defence.
By co-designing the curriculum, UWA and HCLTech say they want to ensure learners are not only certified but also job-ready.
Participants who complete the micro-credentials will be able to:
- gain co-branded digital certificates recognised by both UWA and HCLTech
- stack multiple micro-credentials towards further study options with UWA
- build portfolios based on real industry projects
- access potential internship or employment pathways through HCLTech and its clients.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) Monty Singh said the micro-credentials are intended to make “world-class, industry-aligned qualifications” accessible to a much wider group of learners, particularly in India and across the Indo-Pacific.
With the construction of UWA’s India campuses underway and the micro-credential program moving into implementation, both partners say the collaboration will help build a pipeline of AI and cyber talent capable of supporting digital transformation across the region.
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