RMIT students work with Microsoft to design a WIL ChatBot solution

Master of Business Information Technology students worked hand-in-glove with Microsoft over Semester 1 to design solutions that aim to help enhance RMIT students’ work integrated learning (WIL) experience.

With the class divided into nine groups, each team was tasked with designing a WIL ChatBot to act as a virtual assistant, offering quick and accurate responses to a wide range of common student queries when searching for an internship as part of their studies.

Students worked with the Microsoft team throughout their design process, who helped them understand how to build the proposed ChatBot, learn best-practice use of Microsoft’s Co-Pilot studio and receive live-training and continued support.

With the aim that one of the designs will eventually be piloted by the College of Business and Law’s (CoBL) WIL team, students also worked closely with RMIT’s Information Technology Services (ITS) team to ensure that any proposed build could be quickly, securely and seamlessly integrated into the existing RMIT technology landscape.

Deputy Head, Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics Dr Huan Vo-Tran said the way Microsoft was embedded throughout the learning and design process of this project was a perfect example of working with industry for impact.

“Obviously there is the impact on the students taking the course who get to build future skillsets and work alongside Microsoft, as well as the students who can benefit from any pilot that might eventuate,” Dr Vo-Tran said.

“I also think the impact on industry is a really unique and fantastic outcome of the project, because as our students learn about emerging technologies and how to keep up with new developments, the rapid prototyping has an impact on how industry understands their own products.

“And of course, it means students have these skills upon graduation and can confidently and immediately start to make a difference when they enter the industry.”

Microsoft’s Higher Education Chief Technology Officer Clint Harris said he was impressed with the quality of the students’ work throughout the course and at the final presentations.

“We always relish the opportunity to work with RMIT students who really push the boundaries with what can be done,” Mr Harris said.

“Attending the student presentations and seeing the way the students tackled the business challenge, while using new technology alongside our own team, was really amazing, especially with the short amount of time they had to discover what can be done with the tool.”

The students were tasked with collaborating with Microsoft to design a ChatBot with the aim of the integrating the tool into the COBL Work Integrated Learning team’s processes.

Alfie Shahrin was one of the Master of Business Information Technology students who took part in the project.

“This gig was the perfect finale to my Master's journey—intense, but oh-so satisfying,” she said.

“It was all about juggling ideas, decoding what the client really wanted, and nailing the solution by developing & designing a chatbot.

It's been a while since I've felt that adrenaline rush of a high-octane project, and now, I'm all charged up and ready to jump back into the full-time grind!

Devansha Gaur also took part in the project, saying the experience enhanced her academic journey by equipping her with practical skills and industry exposure.

“Collaborating with Microsoft not only enriched my technical skills but also provided invaluable insights into real-world applications of AI in business contexts,” she said.

“The project allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to a practical setting, bridging theory with hands-on learning.

“While navigating the complexities of integrating AI technology, we encountered challenges that fostered problem-solving and teamwork skills crucial for my future career.”

RMIT Student Lifecycle Senior Officer, Elaine Cardamone said the experience of participating as a client in the project was very positive.

“This was a transformative experience for students, allowing them to step into the role of business analysts, or consultants while simultaneously being the end users of the product, but it was also an enriching experience for the WIL Team to navigate a complex challenge,” Ms Cardamone said.

“Across all nine groups, students delivered well-thought-out and diverse solutions that seamlessly aligned with our needs and requirements.”

The CoBL WIL Team will now evaluate the student solutions in detail and collaborate with the ITS team to identify a suitable path to implementation for the College so students can receive an enhanced WIL experience when searching for information on internship placements.

18 June 2024

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RMIT students work with Microsoft to design a WIL ChatBot solution