.jpg?cropright=4203&croptop=286&cropbottom=1967&width=1920&height=768&stamp=00407eca3604409ebe96b19599df9ed674dcd716)
Starting as a student in the BIT Co-op program, Dylan is a co-founder of a UpDoc. He’s also mentoring the next generation of tech-leaders.
When Dylan Coyne applied for the UTS Bachelor of Information Technology Co-operative (BIT Co-op) scholarship, he wasn’t entirely sure where a technology degree might lead. Through structured industry placements and scholarships, the program gave him exactly what he needed: real industry experience, professional networks and the confidence to apply tech to real-world problems.
Today, he’s a co-founder of Updoc and now hires UTS students from the same program that helped shape his future career.
UTS Industry placements that build real-world IT skills
Dylan’s course gave him opportunities to work in the industry while studying. Through placements with Australian tech companies, he gained exposure to real-world projects shaping the local innovation ecosystem. He wasn’t treated as just a student at these placements, but as a contributing member of the team.
In one role, he worked as a delivery manager, coordinating between engineering and product teams to keep projects on track.
“That responsibility, even at a young age, helped me understand how technology projects really operate,” he explains. “It showed me how ideas become real products that people use.”
Equally important were the connections he built with fellow students, many of whom remain close friends and collaborators years later. The shared ambition and passion within the cohort left a lasting impression.
“You’re surrounded by people who want to solve real problems. That environment stays with you.”
Turning his IT skills into a startup
The combination of hands-on experience, professional networks and practical problem-solving helped Dylan see new possibilities for his future. After graduating, he co-founded Updoc, a digital platform that connects patients with doctors online and works to make healthcare more accessible.
The BIT Co-op program gave me the confidence to start something of my own. I’d already seen how technology could solve meaningful challenges, so founding a company felt achievable.
Today, that same philosophy guides Updoc’s work and its culture. Autonomy, collaboration and experimentation are core values in the company, and Dylan sees strong alignment between those values and the mindset he observed among BIT Co-op students.
Why Dylan is supporting the next wave of UTS tech talent
Years after graduating, Dylan returned to partner with UTS by sponsoring the BIT Co-op program and providing early career opportunities for students through placements and mentoring. For him, the decision was both professional and personal.
Without the program, my career trajectory would have been very different. Supporting students is a way to give others the same opportunity.
Students who join Updoc take on real projects that have tangible impact. One recent intern developed an automated system to digitise medical test results arriving in multiple formats, from digital files to faxed documents, saving hours of manual work each week and helping patients receive care faster.
“That’s the kind of problem-solving students get to do,” Dylan says. “They’re not working on theoretical exercises; they’re building solutions that matter.”
How university-industry partnerships strengthen tech careers
Dylan believes partnerships between universities and industry are essential, not just for students, but for the broader tech sector.
“You can learn a lot at university but applying that knowledge in real environments makes the transition into your career much smoother,” he says. “Students become more well-rounded, and companies benefit from fresh thinking and new talent.”
Looking ahead, he hopes more graduates will see entrepreneurship as a viable path. “I’d love to see students go on to start their own companies, maybe even bigger and better than ours,” he says with a smile.
For Dylan, the journey from BIT Co-op student to founder has come full circle. And for today’s students, his story is a reminder that the right opportunities, combined with curiosity and drive, can open doors far beyond the classroom.
The BIT (Co-op) scholarship provides $49,500 in student support and is structured with industry placements, giving students both financial support and direct access to leading employers.
Industry recognition for Dylan and Updoc
Updoc is a digital healthcare platform that connects patients with qualified health practitioners remotely, making care more accessible and convenient across Australia.
The company has been recognised as one of the country’s fastest-growing tech businesses, winning the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 award three consecutive years (2023–2025).
Co-founder Dylan is also a recipient of Forbes Australia’s Top 30 Under 30, recognising his leadership and impact in the health-tech space.
Start your IT Career with UTS
Interested in combining academic study with paid industry placements? Explore the UTS Bachelor of IT Co-op program.
Webpage
A guide to making your BIT Co-op application stand out.
Webpage
Xavier shares how hands-on projects, societies and innovation studies shaped his university experience.
Webpage
Mel chose IT at UTS despite being the only girl in her school tech classes. Now studying networking and cybersecurity, Mel is building confidence and community.
Webpage
Nicholas went from uncertain to industry‑ready through real IT placements, scholarship support and hands-on experience.
Webpage
A guide to making your BIT Co-op application stand out.
Webpage
Xavier shares how hands-on projects, societies and innovation studies shaped his university experience.
Webpage
Mel chose IT at UTS despite being the only girl in her school tech classes. Now studying networking and cybersecurity, Mel is building confidence and community.
Webpage
Nicholas went from uncertain to industry‑ready through real IT placements, scholarship support and hands-on experience.