Uni helps provide springboard for regional innovation
Published on 08 October, 2010
CQUniversity has sponsored and hosted a who's who of regional leaders for the Capricorn Innovation Leadership Forum, in conjunction with Capricorn Tourism and Economic Development (CTEDL).
More than 100 participants at the Rockhampton Campus venue heard from inspirational speakers, discussed ideas for cross-sectoral collaboration and signed a special 'CQ Innovation Accord', committing them to consider innovation when making policy decisions, with a pledge to ensure CQ is known and recognised as Australia's premier 'Region of Innovation'.
Event facilitor Ray Schleibs acknowledged there was already great innovation happening but said the region needed a paradigm shift because "the world is on a roll and if we are not on a roll we are not going to succeed".
Mr Schleibs, from the iimagine Business strategy consultancy, encouraged participants to educate others, to find innovative solutions for community issues and to infuse the concept of lateral and broad thinking to young people.
Other presenters included our own Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, CTEDL Chairman Grant Cassidy, Innovative Regions Facilitator Ian Ogden (from the federal Department of Innovation, Industry Science and Research), Stanwell Corporation Acting CEO Wayne Collins, Ergon Energy's Alternate Energy Solutions Manager (and CQUniversity Alumnus) Blake Harvey, Chamelon Australia Chairman Geoff Clarke, Rockhampton Region Mayor Cr Brad Carter, Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten and CTEDL CEO Mary Carroll.
The special event brochure includes pages on CQUniversity's 'tequila bio-fuels' project, our middle ear infection research and our 'natural remedies for cardiovascular disease' project.
Ray Schleibs facilitates the gathering 
Food for thought - participants network in a break