How the UTS BIT Co-op Scholarship launched Dylan’s Health-Tech 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. 

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. 

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.