The formal collaboration agreement will open career development opportunities for students and bolster the talent pipeline in the global fashion retail sector.
UNSW Sydney has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global retailer UNIQLO, making it one of the first universities in Australia to partner with the brand to enhance student professional development.
Representatives from UNSW and UNIQLO Australia, along with senior leaders from Fast Retailing Group – UNIQLO's parent company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan – attended the signing. The partnership aims to boost students' employability and leadership skills through structured talent development programs that emphasise practical learning experiences and industry-specific mentorship opportunities with the fashion retailer.
Esmond Esguerra, UNSW Head of Employability, said the partnership with UNIQLO would help shape future-ready graduates and develop new pathways to employability.
"UNSW Employability is excited to collaborate with UNIQLO, connecting our students with one of the world's leading global retail brands, renowned for their commitment to sustainability and innovation," Mr Esguerra said. "This partnership will not only strengthen UNSW students' business acumen but will also provide valuable insights into how UNIQLO helps make a sustainable future through their business practices.
"At UNSW Employability, we are always exploring new avenues to support our students in shaping the futures they aspire to.
"The agreement opens the door to immersive industry experiences, enabling UNSW students to apply their learning in impactful, real-world contexts."
UNSW Business School and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA) students will be the first to benefit from streamlined pathways to programs such as UNIQLO's graduate program – UNIQLO Management Candidate Program (UMC) – which provides students with practical experience in retail operations and management, preparing them to become innovators, problem solvers, and future business leaders; and the Global Management Program (GMP), offering unique opportunity for students to acquire basic knowledge of Fast Retailing and integrate the knowledge to decide a business solution plan while proposing their own ideas to their peers around the world.
"Our MoU with UNIQLO is another example of how we partner with international brands to enrich the student experience at UNSW," said Professor Paul Andon, Senior Deputy Dean (Education & Student Experience) at UNSW Business School. "Students will get invaluable opportunities to apply their knowledge, develop business savvy, and gain insight into responsible business practice in a globally leading organisation.
"Initiatives like this are the reason why our graduates stand out for their practical experience and reinforce UNSW's position as a leading Australian university for graduate employability."
It's intended that the programs will involve high-performing UNSW students and graduates from 2026 onward. Criteria include academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential and a passion for the retail industry.
"As UNIQLO continues to grow both in Australia and globally, it is important to recognise that our people are at the heart of everything we do," said UNIQLO Australia Chief Financial Officer Tim Routley. "From every customer interaction, in-store experience or product innovation, this is led by the talent and passion of our teams."
Mr Routley said the partnership with UNSW would allow UNIQLO to connect with bright, ambitious students who may become future leaders within the business.
"In return, we hope this partnership also adds value for UNSW, by offering students industry exposure, career pathways, practical learning opportunities and insights into how a global retail company operates at scale," Mr Routley said. "We see this as true collaboration, where both UNIQLO and UNSW grow, learn, and benefit from each other.
"We are excited to explore how we can contribute to the community together and help shape the next generation of thinkers and leaders."
Dr Tomoaki Kuroyanagi, Director, Information Security Office, CEO Office of Fast Retailing Group, said this agreement represented Fast Retailing Group's shared commitment to developing global talent and fostering deeper collaborations between academia and industry.
"Today marks an important milestone in the partnership between UNSW and the Fast Retailing Group," Dr Kuroyanagi said. "We believe this agreement will bring fresh perspectives to our teams and support the continuous innovation that drives Fast Retailing forward."
While the agreement is focused on elevating student employability, the partnership will also drive collaborative efforts in innovation, supply chain management and sustainability in fashion.
Associate Professor William Clapton, Associate Dean (Academic Quality) at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, said: "The UNSW x UNIQLO MoU will be of great benefit for students across ADA's diverse range of disciplines, providing additional opportunities for work-integrated learning, skills development, and external engagement and networking with a major global company."
