ATAR boost for young entrepreneurs at Swinburne
In summary
- Swinburne is partnering with innovation agency Marketing Innovation Entrepreneurship Lab on the Shark Tank eSchools program
- Students work in small groups to identify a solution to a problem and pitch their idea in a final venture showcase event
- Year 10 and 11 students who successfully complete the program in 2022 will receive a two-point ATAR adjustment
Victorian secondary school students will get the opportunity to experience the life of an entrepreneur as part of an exclusive new partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and the innovation agency Marketing Innovation Entrepreneurship Lab (MIELab).
The semester-long program will see students undertake a real-world project to develop innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset. In small groups, they will identify and analyse a problem, generate a solution, design and test a prototype, build a business model and pitch their idea in a venture showcase event.
To recognise their achievements, Year 10 and 11 students who undertake the Shark Tank eSchool in 2022 and complete the capstone assessment will receive an ATAR adjustment of two aggregate points when they apply to study with Swinburne.
Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor Pascale Quester says the partnership is a unique opportunity to introduce high school students to the world of entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurial thinking and skills are not just essential for start-ups, they underpin success in every industry,” Professor Quester said.
“Swinburne is proud to be building a prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. We are very pleased to be supporting students who share this vision as they develop the skills they need to succeed in the future workforce.”
Entrepreneurship in action
The program’s name derives from the popular Shark Tank reality television show, where entrepreneurs pitch to five investors (known as ‘sharks’) to secure funding for their ventures.
Teachers in participating schools will undertake two days of training on delivering the program and receive ongoing online support.
Dean of Swinburne’s School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Professor Keryn Chalmers, says that this ‘teach the teacher’ model will ensure that participating schools are developing the next generation of innovative thinkers for years to come.
‘Swinburne is committed to developing leaders who are equipped to address global challenges and meet the needs of new and emerging industries,’ Professor Chalmers says.
‘Students who complete the Shark Tank eSchool program will not only leave with a solid foundation in entrepreneurship, but will be supported to continue growing their passion, skills and knowledge at Swinburne.’
Swinburne will be the exclusive partner of the MIELab in Victoria, building on the success of the Shark Tank eSchool program in South Australia and Western Australia.
Founder and Managing Director of MIELab, Andrew Bensley, said it was an exciting opportunity for Victorian teachers, students and schools.
‘We are excited to have Swinburne University of Technology as a tertiary partner, providing engagement opportunities for students and supporting the development of entrepreneurial skills and an entrepreneurial mindset of young people.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- University
TEDx is coming to Swinburne: seeking nominations for distinguished alumni to be celebrated
Swinburne will be hosting its first TEDxSwinburne event later this year and will showcase Swinburne's world class innovation and ideas from some of Australia's brightest minds.
Thursday 18 April 2024 -
- University
Swinburne's Social Innovation Institute backs projects on circular economy, ancestry and critical care nursing
Three Swinburne research projects have received seed funding from the Social Innovation Research Institute which helps support and co-create solutions to complex social problems.
Tuesday 23 April 2024 -
- Student News
- University
Swinburne ushers in a new era of student representation
Swinburne has been collaborating with students to improve the student experience and resolve challenges with student representation.
Thursday 18 April 2024 -
- University
Students get first shot in Victoria at entrepreneurial Swinburne Startup Year
Swinburne’s Startup Year will equip students with the skills required to build the foundations of a successful business venture, whilst also earning a qualification.
Monday 22 April 2024 -
- Astronomy
- University
OzGrav 2.0: A ‘new era of astrophysics’ launched at Swinburne
The next phase in the world-leading ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, dubbed 'OzGrav 2.0', launched this week at Swinburne University of Technology.
Wednesday 17 April 2024