"Students will use [the software] in courses: information systems programming, database management systems, business systems Web database interfacing, and applications programming," he said. "Quest was generous enough to allow our external campuses at Ourimbah [near Gosford, NSW], Port Macquarie [NSW mid-North coast] and Singapore to use the software."

He said Toad for Oracle was chosen due to staff familiarity and to reduce training.

Students will acquire software skills through course design rather than short courses, although Quest offers free training programs twice per year.

The university started using the software, designed to make IT courses reflective of the workplace, in its first semester.