Victoria University has appointed Sydney-based agency CX Lavender to lead its student experience innovation program following a competitive pitch.

The project will explore opportunities for disruption in the tertiary education category and student experience, and will include ethnographic and quantitative research, journey mapping, commercial opportunity identification and modelling, field validation, business casing and delivery feasibility.

The university aims to match its category-leading tertiary innovation with this new student experience innovation program. Victoria University already offers a unique Block Model of education, which replaces traditional multi-subject semesters with single subject intensive four-week blocks. The student experience program will inform Victoria University innovation initiatives commencing in 2025.

Director of Brand and Marketing at Victoria University, Russell Downing, said: “CX Lavender’s roots as a creative agency, paired with their expertise in CX research, innovation, product and modelling, made them the right partner to explode accepted category norms and bring all new thinking to the tertiary sector. We were also highly impressed with the agency’s in-house technical capability and adaptable approach, and we’re confident we’ll achieve great things together.”

CEO of CX Lavender, Adam Washington, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome our new client Victoria University and realise this true transformation opportunity in partnership. Tertiary education student experience is among the most unchanged in any sector throughout the decades; VU’s vision and bravery when combined with our CX capabilities can shape the next gen of uni experience.”

CMO of Victoria University, David Llewellyn, said: “Our partnership with CX Lavender represents a significant step forward in enhancing the educational experience for students. By focusing on innovation and creativity, our goal is to set a new benchmark for student engagement and satisfaction in the tertiary education sector.”