Student changemakers wanted for regional Victorian social innovation workshop

13 May 2021

CQUniversity students are invited to make a difference this semester break' with a Social Innovation Workshop in Hamilton' in Victoria's southwest.

The immersive three-day workshop' held in partnership with Western District Health Service' challenges students to design a central hub for the region' to engage young people and diverse community members with health services.

Held across 22-24 June 2021' the workshop is facilitated by CQUni's Office of Social Innovation' and $100 registration fee includes accommodation' return travel from Melbourne CBD' breakfast and lunch each day' and mentoring (valued at $600).

Expressions of interest close at 9am on Monday 17 May' apply now!

The Hamilton Social Innovation Workshop will:

  • Provide participants with new and relevant skills for future careers'
  • Build capacity in leadership' problem solving' empathy' team work' creativity' innovation and presenting'
  • Support experience designing innovative solutions that contribute to positive social change'
  • Connect participants with a diverse group of people from different disciplines and walks of life'
  • Grow experience working with local communities' and
  • Take participants out of their comfort zone.

The workshop is open to students from all disciplines' and is the latest in a long series of community-engaged social innovation immersions for students.

Social Innovation Program Manager Ashley Clarke said the workshops' previously held across Queensland' tapped into student passion for contributing to positive social change.

"Students love that they work on real life projects that benefit the community'" she said.

"They're also encouraged to think outside of the box' challenge pre-existing frameworks' learn about social innovation and pitch ideas to senior stakeholders that would make a positive difference to people and planet."

"You can just see the relationships being built' and the ideas being sparked' it's a really powerful experience."

"These type of workshops encourage collaboration' creativity' innovation and community engagement. These skills become part of the fabric of a students' career journey and build a social innovation mindset that they will have for the rest of their lives!"