More than 20 CQUniversity students will converge on the Bundaberg campus from 15-17 April for a three-day immersive workshop that will see them work with community and industry, to design innovative solutions to social issues.
During the workshop, students will collaborate with stakeholders to consider a social issue, learn social innovation principles and practice, and design possible solutions.
The theme of the workshop will centre on the statement: How First Nation knowledge and practice around agriculture, sustainable farming and land management might interface with new technology to maintain and regenerate local ecosystems.
Event organiser and CQUniversity Social Innovation program manager Ashley Clarke explained that the workshop would help students to build their capacity in several key areas including leadership, problem-solving, empathy and teamwork.
“We received a large amount of interest in this event and we will have a group of more than 20 students join us for this workshop,” Ms Clarke said.
“The group will be made up of local students, plus others, who will visit the region from Gladstone, Noosa and Rockhampton.
“This is the first time we have conducted a workshop that is focused on the application of First Nations’ knowledge and practice and we are really excited to work with our students, community and industry partners, and traditional owners, to develop new ideas and design sustainable solutions that could potentially be applied to local issues.”
Event theme
Bundaberg student Leslie Lowe has been involved in the organisation of the event and was responsible for setting the direction of the theme.
“I have been involved in a number of social innovation activities during my time as a student at CQUniversity,” he said.
“These activities have helped to shape my perspective and have enriched my learnings, and I am now excited about taking on a more mentoring focused role at this workshop.
“As an Indigenous man I am passionate about the theme of this workshop and I look forward to working with students to see how they will apply Indigenous knowledge and practice to their ideas,” said Mr Lowe.
Workshop details
During the three-day workshop, students will participate in lectures, professional development and networking, site visits and cultural training.
The event will conclude with a pitch afternoon where participants will present their ideas in groups to invited guests from community and industry.
The event has been made possible thanks to support from Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Bundaberg Regional Council, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Gidarjil Development Corporation, Greensill Farming Group, Queensland Computers, Queensland Rail and TECKnology Indigenous Corporation.
For more information on the event, please contact socialinnovation@cqu.edu.au.
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