Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) students are solving real business problems while making a real social impact. 

Through close partnerships with industry, Murdoch University Business students put theory into practice, gain hands-on experience tackling real business challenges and develop practical solutions that make a tangible difference in the real world. 

Last year, our MBA students partnered with Plenty Gifting and its Founder and Purpose Director, Anushka van der Veen. Plenty Gifting is a unique meal gifting service built on a profit-for-purpose model, working to fight food insecurity in Western Australia, one meal at a time. Offering an alternative to traditional gifts such as flowers, Plenty Gifting enables individuals and organisations to gift meals instead. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, 100% of profits are reinvested back into the community, supporting local emergency food relief programs. 

We invited Anushka to share her current business challenges with our students, giving them the opportunity to apply their learning in a real-world context. Drawing on a strong theoretical foundation, MBA students put their knowledge into practice where it truly matters. Using skills in project management, risk assessment and research, they developed innovative, practical solutions to support Plenty Gifting’s continued growth and impact. 

Once students had developed their ideas in groups, it was time to present their pitches to Plenty Gifting. As they refined their presentations, students strengthened their communication skills, built confidence in their delivery and gained valuable experience presenting to a real client. In turn, Anushka gained fresh insights and practical strategies that she is now exploring within the business. 

Among the most compelling ideas were the development of an app to better connect with customers and measure social impact, as well as new industry partnerships and collaborative programs designed to expand Plenty Gifting’s reach. These solutions demonstrated strategic thinking while reflecting a genuine understanding of the organisation’s purpose-driven mission. 

Experiences like this reflect our commitment to hands‑on learning, giving students the tools and confidence to step into the business world. As the first university in Australia to offer SimLab™, a virtual reality platform designed to prepare students for real‑world human resources scenarios and workplace challenges, we embed practical capability into every stage of the MBA. This technology‑driven approach is already a key focus across the Business School, with AI‑based virtual reality experiences helping our students develop critical business skills.  

“Over the duration of the past year of being at the Murdoch University Business School, my experience has been phenomenal. I’ve met so many people, learned so many things, and been handed down so many opportunities. The Murdoch University Business School is taking me places” 

By the time students partnered with Plenty Gifting, they were ready to take on complex challenges, work closely with an industry client and deliver meaningful solutions. The experience gave them real‑world exposure, expanded networks and a chance to strengthen the skills they had been building throughout their MBA. 

Reflecting on the collaboration, Founder Anushka van der Veen shared that “the students engaged with our Plenty Kitchen project in such a meaningful way,” and that many of their ideas genuinely resonated with her. She is excited to explore several of the strategies presented, including new ways to strengthen customer engagement and measure Plenty Gifting’s impact. 

Students also introduced her to SilverChef’s Community Equip program, which provides discounted second‑hand kitchen equipment for not‑for‑profits. Anushka explained that she had not known this support existed and found the insight incredibly valuable. The teams also highlighted relevant grants, corporate partnership opportunities and potential collaborations with other purpose‑aligned organisations to support trainee recruitment and job placement. 

“They are all fantastic ideas,” Anushka said, and she is looking forward to putting many of them into action’ 

Our Business School is recognised by the Good Universities Guide 2026 with five stars for learner engagement and student support at postgraduate level*, highlighting the outstanding learning experience our students receive. It is this blend of theory, practice, and industry engagement that empowers our graduates to step into the business world with confidence and drive meaningful change. 

Are you ready to put theory into practice? Explore our Business course options and start building your brighter future.