Budding regional entrepreneurs will present their business ideas and community work at a national competition in Melbourne this weekend.

The Central Queensland University SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team members will compete against other universities while showcasing their portfolio of business and community projects.

The five CQU members will be required to make a 30-minute presentation about their University, their business concepts, their community involvement and their innovative projects.

CQU SIFE’s projects include: a candle making initiative which targets the community and teaches basic business skills; PC@Home - which hopes to provide low cost computer repairs and upgrades to the University community; high school marketing – student-taught groups from Glenmore High and Mt Morgan High to do a marketing plan and brochure for CQ Career Links; jewellery making workshop in conjunction with a Second Chance Food Van; and a colouring-book kit – a concept geared to teach business principles to primary school students, through which students hope to create a viable published work and have it introduced into the school curriculum.

CQU SIFE wants to increase bonds between CQU and the regional business community according to last year’s Australian Mentor of the Year, CQU lecturer Beth Tennent.

“Through SIFE the students hope to use their theoretical skills within a community and entrepreneurial framework.

“By participating in organisations such as SIFE, students give themselves a strong grounding in not only business skills, but also entrepreneurship and community spirit.

SIFE is a world-wide organisation for students who want to make a difference in their community by developing leadership, teamwork and communication skills gained at university. The SIFE teams go into the community with student-designed outreach programs.

Members of CQU SIFE travelling to the national competition are: Andrew Maloney (B. Bus - Management) - third year, Penny Kowalski (BLM - primary teaching) - second year, Angela Waugh (B. Bus - Marketing) - third year Isaiah, (Izzy) Geritz (B.Bus Accounting) - second year, and Robert Sims (B. Bus Accounting) - first year.

Photo: Penny Kowalski, Robert Sims, Andrew Maloney, Angela Waugh and Beth Tennent.