La Trobe Shepparton Campus

The future workforce requires a new generation of graduates who possess an AI-first mindset, not just familiarity with the tools.

“We are a university that is deeply committed to supporting our students to succeed, so it’s self-evident that we must equip them with an AI-first mindset, not just a smattering of AI skills,” says Vice Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell.

“This means we need to transform ourselves as a university to be AI-first, to integrate AI right across our curriculum as well as provide profession-specific AI skills training to our graduates.”

In 2027, we are set to launch one of Australia’s first MBAs focused on AI, as well as industry-aligned training programs and micro-credentials for upskilling professionals with practical knowledge of AI technologies.

Discover how we're combining emerging technology, innovation and sustainable thinking into our teaching, learning and research to produce responsible AI-ready graduates who feel confident and prepared for the challenges ahead 👇

Graduating with an AI-first mindset La Trobe University is working with industry to produce AI-ready graduates who are equipped to drive transformation and innovation.

What a fantastic conversation at last week's Arts and Culture Roundtable!

It was great to hear from educators, artists, cultural organisations, industry representatives and community leaders who share a passion for supporting arts and culture across our region.

The discussion highlighted what makes our community so special – strong connections, rich cultural diversity, strong creative activity, and a genuine appreciation for the arts in all their forms.

One of the most exciting themes was the enthusiasm of young people for creative careers and the opportunities to strengthen pathways from school to university and into meaningful work. We also explored the role arts education plays in developing creativity, critical thinking, storytelling and ethical decision-making in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Thank you to everyone who shared their perspectives, experiences and ideas. We're excited to continue these conversations and help shape a vibrant future for arts and culture in our region.

We recently joined local stakeholders at the C4GS Energy Forum here in Shepparton to continue conversations about the future of energy, innovation and regional growth across the Goulburn Valley.

The forum built on connections established through the Smart Shepparton initiative, bringing together industry, government and research leaders to discuss opportunities to strengthen regional capability, improve productivity and support sustainable growth.

During the visit, the La Trobe team met with leaders from the Greater Shepparton City Council, toured FOOTT waste and visited Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE to learn more about the projects and partnerships helping shape the region's future.

Regional communities like ours have a vital role to play in Australia's innovation landscape. Through collaboration between industry, government and universities, initiatives like these help create pathways for new ideas, skills and investment to deliver local impact.

🌱 What happens when decades of farming knowledge are combined with the processing power of AI?

Agriculture is one of Australia’s biggest users of fresh water, and inefficient irrigation can lead to significant waste.

Distinguished Professor Wei Xiang's bight idea, developed with ag-tech company Aglantis, is an AI-powered smart irrigation platform that replaces one-size-fits-all watering routines with precise, data-driven decisions tailored to each crop — and it's just won a 2026 Financial Review AI Award for Sustainability!

Since 2024, the platform has been rolled out across North Queensland. A network of solar-powered field devices monitor soil moisture, temperature, humidity, valve positions and flow rates, feeding data into a crop simulation engine. It gives farmers receive clear, practical advice on when and how much to irrigate, helping them respond quickly to changing conditions and avoid overwatering 🌤️

Early results show:

🚰 water savings of around 20%
⚡ electricity costs reduced by 50%
🌾 30-45% in labour savings
⛽ Hundreds of litres of diesel saved annually

“AI has the potential to fundamentally reshape Australian farming,” says Prof Xiang, our Cisco Research Chair of AI and IoT. "By integrating sensors, AI and real-time environmental monitoring, we can support more resilient farming systems for Australia, and worldwide".

🎓 Congratulations to the class of 2026 🎉

Yesterday, we celebrated the achievements of our newest graduates and the incredible journeys that brought them to this milestone.

Many of our students balanced study alongside work, family commitments and life's challenges, demonstrating the resilience, determination and community spirit that make our Shepparton campus so special.

We are proud to have been part of your journey and can't wait to see the impact you'll make in your communities, workplaces and beyond.

Congratulations to every graduate- you've earned this moment!

Our nursing students had a fantastic time supporting May
Measurement Month at Riverside Marketplace the other week.

They received a very warm welcome from shoppers and visitors, with lots of great engagement throughout the morning.

By lunchtime, the team had already collected almost 30
blood pressure checks and health histories - an amazing effort!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by and supported our
students.

Join us for a special public lecture hosted by the Gabra Biik Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre.

We are honoured to welcome Professor Philip Deloria (Yankton Dakota descent), Leverett Saltonstall Professor of History at Harvard University, for a discussion on his work with his Great-Aunty Mary Sully and her incredible artwork.

Professor Deloria’s research explores the social, cultural and political histories of relationships between American Indian peoples and the United States, as well as global Indigenous histories and connections.

📅 Monday 18 May 2026
🕒 3:00pm – 4:15pm
📍 Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence
174 Numurkah Road, Shepparton

This public lecture is open to everyone. We warmly invite community members, students, researchers and staff to attend.

A big shout out to the La Trobe Student Association for hosting yesterday’s International Nursing Day celebration 💙🩺

It was wonderful to bring students together at the LTSA Lounge to connect, celebrate, and recognise the incredible contribution nurses make to our communities every day.

A special thank you to guest speaker, Jessica Newman — BN alumna, Critical Care RN at GV Health, recent Graduate Diploma in Midwifery graduate, and recipient of both the 2025 Provost Commendation Certificate and the St John of God Midwifery Award for Bendigo Campus.

Jessica’s journey, achievements, and dedication to nursing and midwifery were truly inspiring for our students and staff alike.