To help students build confidence and capability in skills and mindsets highly sought after by employers, while developing knowledge and networks associated with innovation and entrepreneurship, The University of Western Australia established UWA Innovation Academy in 2019.
The Academy focuses on five key employability skills – collaboration, communication, creativity, innovation and problem solving – and is designed to allow students to navigate more complex careers and thrive wherever life takes them.
Since it began, the Academy has quickly become the University’s flagship co-curricular student innovation program, engaging 500+ students and 30+ industry partners in high-energy, hands-on workshops.
“I've been a part of a few innovation challenges, hackathons and the like, either as an organiser, mentor or participant. The UWA Innovation Academy, just seemed to work - a testament to the team.”Aish Srinivas, Consultant at JourneyOne Innovation.
In 2022, the program was scaled in response to student feedback and demand and was launched as an immersive online experience. Drawing on alumni networks and in-house capabilities, participation was offered free and exclusive for UWA students.
Over four weeks, students attended a weekly workshop with innovation experts and worked in a team with an alumni mentor to ideate, validate and pitch solutions to challenges proposed by WA organisations Western Power and Perth Festival.
“Through the Innovation Academy, I got the opportunity to work with real industry-based clients to solve a real-life problem,” said Bachelor of Commerce student Avanti Dantale. “Usually I’m a very quiet person, so the mentors through the program have really helped me to come out of my shell and speak up more.”
Image: Dr Jo Hawkins, Innovation Manager, taking part in an online workshop.
Perth-based Product & Marketing Manager, and co-founder of construction software startup BuildSort, Aaron D’Cruz, said being a UWA Innovation Academy alumni mentor was an engaging and refreshing experience, providing a fun and rewarding way to give back with just a couple of hours of weekly commitment.
“It was my chance to share real-world approaches to problem solving and team management, while my team tackled a real-world challenge,” Aaron said. “Mentoring for the academy lets you focus on sharing experience, approaches and insights. Not being a leader but enabling your team members to lead themselves.”
Find out more about the program, or register your interest in participating at the UWA Innovation Academy website.