On May 10, Enactus QUT achieved an enormous milestone which was QUTChangemakers, QUT’s first social entrepreneurship competition by Enactus QUT.
As President of Enactus QUT, I sought to seek a new way in which Enactus QUT functioned – taking student engagement and retainment to a new level and to create a social-entrepreneurially-minded community within QUT. And last night we accomplished just that.
At the beginning of semester, we challenged students to be a QUTChangemaker through our program and competition by creating sustainable social enterprises that addressed issues we face within our own community. Unlike a regular startup weekend, this competition went for 10 weeks and sought to create direct impact by seeing ideas mature and become a reality.
At the QUTChangemakers Showcase, we saw six teams present enterprises that addressed six very different and real problems we face in society. With solutions targeted towards Indigenous Australians, refugees, the education of low-socioeconomic children in coding, mental health, and sustainable products and fashion, the showcase proved not only to be entertaining but incredibly inspiring.
As host, I was honoured by facilitating the presentation of six social enterprises that addressed six very different and real problems society faces. The diversity in needs-identification and therefore solutions at the showcase proved not only to be engaging but incredibly inspiring.
After an intense round of competitive presentations, first place was awarded to The Unknown Project, second place was awarded to Health Review Bot, and third place was awarded to Best Foot Forward. As a part of the prizes, these three teams will represent QUT at the Enactus Nationals Competition in July this year. The Spirit of Enactus Award, decided by Enactus Alumni, was awarded to Vinnies Super Coders, with the People’s Choice award going to The Unknown Project.
A highlight of the evening included reuniting Enactus QUT alumni and former Enactus QUT Presidents to reminisce, share experiences and look forward to more collaboration. Thank you Sejal Jamnadas, Andrew Trubshaw, Emmy Singh, former presidents, and Sinna Keurulainen, Michael Evans, and Lisa Tang.
This vision, and successful implementation could not have been possible without the extraordinary Marvin Fox, and Enactus QUT Executive Team, May Maung, Brittany Butler, Susana Uribe, Hamish Murray, and Patrick Gorenac.
