International university students are visiting Brisbane this week for the 2026 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) at QUT to learn from Australian sport and education experts, including netball and cricket bosses.
The 10-day biennial exchange event takes place simultaneously in four cities around the world, with QUT students also travelling abroad to compete in concurrent challenges.
This year’s Brisbane challenge is running with the theme The Business of Sport.
It is tasking the postgraduate students to come up with new ideas on how Australian sporting organisations can use technology and data to “create, capture and distribute” new value for their members, partners and communities.
QUT’s Executive Dean of Business and Law, Professor Sharon Christensen, opened the challenge on Monday at Innovation Central Brisbane, with the university’s Director of 2032 Engagement, Emily Rosemond, also welcoming students and guests.
“We have received strong support from leaders across the business and sport sectors, who are sharing their expertise with students and helping them test ideas against real industry priorities,” Ms Rosemond said.
“Students will be exploring how technology and data can create new value for sporting organisations, members, partners and communities, while also engaging with insights from global experts involved in QUT’s Future of Sport Conference earlier this year.
“While Brisbane 2032 is still six years away, the opportunity to build capability starts now.
“Programs like this help position Brisbane as a place where global students, sport leaders and technology partners can come together to develop practical solutions with long-term impact.”
Industry guests include Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson, Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies and Stadiums Queensland CEO Todd Harris, who met with GIC students on day one of the challenge on Monday. (They are pictured at top with Maastricht University/QUT student Noemi Eze and BI Norwegian Business School student Pawel Luczyski.)
Next Monday, Innovation Central Melbourne Director Jeff Jones will be in town to kick off week two and provide the technology nous to help the students turn their challenge concepts into digital prototypes.
Associate Professor Paula Dootson from the QUT Business School is overseeing the challenge program, which gives participating students credit toward their degrees.
She said eight leading business schools from around the world made up the Global Innovation Challenge alliance.
The triple-crowned internationally accredited schools are:
- QUT Business School, Australia
- Aston University Business School, UK
- BI Norwegian Business School, Norway
- Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, Portugal
- Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, Netherlands
- National Chengchi University College of Business, Taiwan
- University of Mannheim Business School, Germany
- Stellenbosch University Business School, South Africa
Associate Professor Dootson said the GIC was one of many experiential opportunities QUT students had at home and abroad.
“The Global Innovation Challenge provides students with a real-world learning opportunity on a global scale,” she said.
“They are all completing masters degrees and are at a stage of their careers where they can truly contribute to businesses through their ideas, teamwork and leadership.
“We have international students taking part in the GIC at QUT, from the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Germany and South Africa.
“And five QUT masters students have headed overseas to compete in GIC events in The Netherlands and Norway.
“The quality of our work integrated learning opportunities really is one of the differences that sets QUT apart – and one of the reasons why the QUT Business School is regarded with such high esteem internationally.”
The visiting students will also get a taste of Brisbane sporting life this week when they gather to watch the Lions take on the Swans on Thursday night, and the Broncos and Roosters on Friday night.
The Global Innovation Challenge in Brisbane is hosted by the QUT Business School and QUT’s Brisbane 2032 Engagement team, with support from Innovation Central Brisbane, a QUT and Cisco collaboration.
This year’s QUT Open Day will also be held on July 26 as an opportunity for potential undergraduate and postgraduate students to experience the university’s campuses, talk to staff and students, and learn more about courses and career options.
Main photo at top (left to right): GIC participants Noemi Eze (Maastricht University/QUT student) and Pawel Luczyski (BI Norwegian Business School student), with Kate Davies (Netball Queensland CEO), Todd Harris (Stadiums Queensland CEO) and Terry Svenson (Queensland Cricket CEO).
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au
