Enterprising UQ students confront global challenges in Korea

Today, five budding entrepreneurs from The University of Queensland join students from around the world to tackle global challenges together at a Korean summer camp.

At the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) International Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, the students will spend four weeks investigating ways to turn accelerating technologies into practical solutions that benefit mankind.

The students attending are undergraduates Barbara Wronksi (Bachelor of Engineering), Alexander Bowen-Rotsaert (Bachelor of Engineering), and Lawrence Wong (Bachelor of Biotechnology), and UQ PhD candidates Ya-Mi Chuang (Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology) and Inhi Kim (Transportation Engineering).

The students received a joint scholarship from KAIST, the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) and the UQ Graduate School to attend.

Barbara Wronski of Yeerongpilly, who is studying chemical engineering, was thrilled to receive the scholarship and is looking forward to putting her knowledge into practise.

“I have always been passionate about sustainable engineering and feel that the next generation of engineers will need to lead the way in creating practical and sustainable solutions to the world’s problems,” she said.

“For example, while we are able to generate energy from the sun, without efficient energy storage solutions, solar energy is unreliable and can only provide energy at peak season.

“Without the acceleration of technology we cannot begin to implement renewable forms of energy on a global scale.”

Ms Wronski hopes to develop her leadership and team-building skills at the camp, which includes a series of lectures and workshops facilitated by researchers and business leaders and culminates in an entrepreneurship competition.

“I would like to improve my leadership skills and teach others about the challenges the world faces regarding the environment, energy, water and sustainability,” Ms Wronski said.

“This opportunity will open doors and allow me to meet like-minded people” Ms Wronski said.

Dr Jessica Gallagher, Acting Director of the Office of Undergraduate Education, said UQ was committed to providing opportunities to students at all levels of study to gain professional experience overseas.

“We are proud to partner with KAIST to offer scholarships to UQ undergraduate and research higher degree students.

“The camp provides a significant opportunity for these students to extend themselves beyond the classroom, develop key competencies that employer’s value and build networks with industry leaders from around the world,” Dr Gallagher said.

For more information about support available to students to participate in global programs, visit the Office of Undergraduate Education website or the UQ Graduate School website.

Media: Georgia Mitchell (07 3346 0626 or georgia.mitchell@uq.edu.au)