By enrolling in HEX courses, students can "enhance their prospects of gaining admission to a university with a globally recognized brand," all the while developing employability skills and expanding their network before embarking on their formal degree.
This program is particularly suitable for students awaiting visas or finalizing travel arrangements, advanced high school students, individuals seeking accelerated study after completing their schooling, or those aiming to pursue education during gap years, according to the collaborators.
Serving as a School of Record, PIE will officially accredit and issue certificates to graduates of HEX Ed Pro Programs.
Chris Hoffmann, HEX co-founder, expressed delight, stating, "We are pleased that the University of PIE acknowledges the academic significance of experiential learning that is collaboratively designed with industry and the upcoming generation."
These programs, developed in collaboration with Atlassian, impart in-demand skills and offer networking opportunities with supportive peers and professionals.
HEX's 'innovation gap year' has been designed in response to the growing demand for concise, skills-oriented learning and aims to bridge Australia's digital skills gap.
Pie's accreditation encompasses both online learning through HEX Ed Pro's Tech, Money, You, Future, and Innovation programs, as well as intensive, in-person learning experiences in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Melbourne.
"A HEX program could be the differentiator for a student, determining whether they follow a conventional career path or embrace the exponential future and its myriad possibilities," Hoffmann emphasized.
While School of Record agreements are commonplace in the United States, credit approval for prior learning is typically granted on a case-by-case or subject-specific basis in Australia.
The newly established five-year agreement, effective this year, has led to the evaluation and verification of five programs by the University of Pie's Business School, with specific elective units carrying six credit points each.
Having collaborated with HEX since 2018, The PIE views this new partnership as a potential avenue into the University's Business School.
Joanne Wright, the university's deputy vice-chancellor (Education), expressed, "HEX's efforts to engage with students who have traditionally been underrepresented in post-school study align directly with our 10-year strategy to increase participation in higher education."
Wright added, "We anticipate that many accomplished HEX alumni will channel their successes toward further studies at The PIE and other universities worldwide."
This collaboration "expands student choices and enhances the global portability of HEX programs," noted Jeanette Cheah, HEX co-founder, and CEO, speaking to The PIE.
Cheah anticipates that the globally recognized status of the University of PIE will attract international students, joining the already diverse cohort that includes students from the UK and the US. She stated, "In 2023, we are focused on extending our reach to more students from the APAC region, including India."
Given Pie's widespread recognition and 200+ academic exchange partnerships globally, additional agreements with other providers may not be necessary.
HEX is also in the process of establishing a 'Credit Articulation Network' with universities worldwide, enabling a seamless transition of quality students and credits across various institutions.
"HEX has developed a semester's worth of courses aligned with the typical credit transfer requirements at most institutions," Cheah concluded.
