"New areas of study for the university include information security which the federal government identified as an area where there's a lack in skills," Whymark said.

Central Queensland University regularly runs focus groups in Sydney and Melbourne with industry and recruitment firms to get feedback on its programs. "We also take note of international curriculum designs. The program was restructured three years ago and has boomed ever since. It is designed to meet certification requirements where applicable which means it is skills-oriented. We will be introducing a research component in the near future -- the program is continually evolving and never stands still."

Central Queensland University is currently going through the accreditation process with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). "We are going to open a NZ campus in November this year and MIS/MITs in business and IT are on the schedule to be delivered."

Professor Ian Robinson, head of La Trobe University's School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, its strength lies in the range of offerings in which it specializes.

From mid-year La Trobe is planning a new Masters of Mobile and Pervasive Computing. "The new course combines our strengths of computer networks, software engineering and intelligent systems; you need smart ways of doing these things," Robinson said.