This year, 370 students from 8 universities will be competing on 17 different industry projects. Student teams capitalise on their discipline-specific knowledge and generic skills to address industry challenges posed by the 17 participating project hosts. Macquarie has chosen 89 students from all faculties and disciplines to participate in this employability initiative. Some students might use Univative as their PACE placement, others might use it for GLP credit.
In 2020, Macquarie won 8 of the 15 categories and we are hopeful that this success will be repeated this year. Project hosts include:
- Amazon Web Services
- Pexip
- Salvation Army
- Sunrice
- Department of Education
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
- Dell
- Australian National Maritime Museum
- Scarf Refugee Support
- VM Ware
- Academy Global
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- HCL
- Leor
- Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
- Veriu Group
Projects range from developing marketing strategies for products and services, to creating fundraising campaigns for Not For Profits, developing sustainability or corporate volunteering policies and innovative recruitment strategies.
Regardless of whether you win, I can guarantee that participating in Univative will be a wild ride that will open you up to exploring things beyond your discipline, enhance your employability skills, and allow you to meet people who you probably wouldn’t have normally met otherwise.
Diana K. B. Psychology
Univative is supported by leading technology partners including IBM and Pexip. As part of Univative, students received extensive training in media production and design thinking methodology. Students will be mentored by MQ Univative alumni and Master of Org Psych students. Participating students will also receive AHEGS recognition.
Employers receive innovative solutions to their business challenges and direct access to a motivated and diverse student cohort. Many students have received internship and employment offers from their project hosts in the past, others have been offered mentorships or training sessions with CEOs and executives. Most importantly, students are pressed to utilise their discipline-specific skills and knowledge simultaneously with their transferable skills. This has been the recipe for success for the Univative winners!
The most important thing that Univative has helped me to learn is the art of problem solving. We had a real challenging business issue to solve and a new team where no one knew each other. The process of building vision, team bonding, camaraderie, and motivation to bring the best solution is something that no classroom workshop or project can deliver, only a stage like Univative can provide it.
Himanshu K. (Harry), MBA grad
Univative 2021 is delivered by the MQ Career Development Consultants and supported by NAGCAS (National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services), Australia’s peak professional body for career development in the higher and tertiary education sectors.
We wish all the students participating in this year’s challenge all the best of luck.
For more information contact univative@mq.edu.au
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