Buzz makes campus a hive of activity

The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus is set to become a hive of activity when hundreds of Year 10 students visit next week.

Over 400 students from schools in the Ipswich and Brisbane regions are set to sharpen their business skills on Monday, June 5 when the Campus hosts the Buzz With Business conference.

Designed to introduce students to the excitement and challenges of the business world, the Buzz With Business Conference is organised by the UQ Business School Ipswich.

Conference Co-ordinator and UQ Business School senior lecturer Dr Marie Kavanagh said the inaugural event provided an opportunity for students in the middle years of high school to learn more about business dynamics while engaging in real-life business scenarios.

“For many students this is the first time they have attended a conference with presentations from high ranking professionals in the business community,” Dr Kavanagh said.

“The response from the schools has been fantastic, as they realise the need for students to extend their business knowledge whilst still at school.”

The inaugural Buzz With Business Conference features eight presenters from industry and The University of Queensland, including Recruitment Queensland Chief Executive Officer Graham Smith, who will present “Industrial Relations – What’s New” and Dr Paul O’Brien who will present “Phoney business – business on the run.”

During presentations students will have the opportunity to take an active part in the session using keypads to type in responses to questions and scenarios. The students and their teachers will be assisted on the day by existing University students who will act as conference guides. At the end of the day prizes will be awarded to the groups that consistently produce the most innovative and practical responses.

Dr Kavanagh said on completion of the Conference, the students then had the opportunity to further enhance their skills by coming back to Campus when in Year 12 to attend the Engaging Business Conference.

“Each year Engaging Business grows larger and larger because students love the opportunity to be challenged and take on the business mindset.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Ipswich Professor Alan Rix welcomed the Conference and its ability to introduce and familiarise school students with the university environment.

He congratulated the UQ Business School and participating secondary schools for their involvement and recognition of the need for development of business knowledge for high school students.

Schools from across Brisbane and the Darling Downs region will attend the Conference which will commence on Monday, June 5 at 9am.

Media: For further information, contact Dr Marie Kavanagh on 3381 1003 or 0402 640 597.