By Cayley Parker, 20 October, 2026
When Faculty of Science Dean's Scholars Vinesh Nangia, Rebecca Mullock and Indigo Hennig travelled to Bangkok for the University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS), they expected to learn more about leadership.
What they didn't expect was how much the experience would challenge the way they thought about change, community and their own futures.
Supported by QUT, the three students joined delegates from around the world for four days of keynote presentations, networking, cultural exchange and community engagement. Hosted at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, the symposium brought together emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, humanitarian advocates and changemakers, all united by a shared goal: creating positive impact.
For all three students, the experience became much more than a conference.
A global classroom
One of the most valuable parts of the symposium was the opportunity to connect with students from different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds.
For Rebecca, who is studying a Bachelor of Information Technology / Bachelor of Mathematics, meeting delegates from around the world broadened her understanding of leadership and reinforced the idea that there is no single path to making a difference.
"Engaging with delegates from around the world was incredibly rewarding. Every conversation offered a new perspective, a new story, or a new insight into how young people are driving change within their communities," she said.
Throughout the week, the students heard from entrepreneurs, humanitarian leaders, conservationists and United Nations representatives. While their backgrounds and experiences differed, a common message emerged: meaningful change often starts with a single person choosing to act.
Learning from people leading change
Across the four days, the students were introduced to people tackling some of the world's biggest social and environmental challenges.
One speaker who left a particularly strong impression on Indigo, who is studying Information Technology and Mathematics, was Thai conservationist Saengduean "Lek" Chailert, founder of an elephant rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in Northern Thailand. She has dedicated her life to rescuing elephants from exploitation by tourist organisations while advocating for more ethical treatment of animals.
Lek spoke openly about her experience seeing elephants being mistreated as a child and how she turned this into global action. Rather than avoiding difficult realities, Lek spoke openly about the compromises sometimes required to solve complex problems. In some cases, she has purchased elephants from their owners to rescue and rehabilitate them.
"All the speakers taught me that there is no 'right way' to make positive change, and a good leader should know when to compromise to achieve their goal," Indigo said.
The lesson stayed with the students beyond the conference itself.
After hearing Lek speak, they changed their own travel plans and visited her sanctuary instead of participating in activities involving performing elephants. There, they were given an excusive look at rehabilitation efforts and learned more about ethical wildlife tourism.
"This was an experience that was not offered within the conference but could not have happened without the conference," Indigo said.
For Vinesh, who is studying Information Technology and Law, the experience reinforced how individuals can change the world.
"I realised that change starts with something small, local, and close to home. It is a slow process, but every step along the way is vital to the overall improvement of the world," he said.
Kindness in action
One of the highlights of the symposium was Kindness Day, where delegates spent time supporting community and environmental initiatives across Thailand.
Rebecca volunteered at a regional school outside Bangkok, spending the day connecting with local children through games and activities.
"It was a powerful reminder that connection doesn't always require words. Happiness, laughter and kindness can bridge any gap," she said.
Meanwhile, Indigo joined a mangrove restoration project, helping plant young mangrove seedlings alongside local conservationists.
"It's difficult to imagine how spending one day planting mangroves, or one week listening to speakers, would impact the world around you. But the connections you make and work you put in now has rippling effects on the future you can create," she said.
Looking at the future differently
The symposium encouraged each student to think differently about leadership, their future careers and the role they could play in their communities.
For Indigo, it expanded her view of what a future career could look like.
"Before, I pictured myself at a desk job the rest of my life trying desperately to make change from within an organisation. Now I see myself doing many jobs at once and I'm not necessarily limited to a role or a desk."
For Vinesh, the experience reshaped the way he thinks about the relationship between career and purpose.
"I learned that I don't have to separate my career from my social activism, and instead I should seek out opportunities that make me fulfilled and can allow me to make steps towards global change."
Beyond the classroom
Through the Faculty of Science Dean's Scholars Program and QUT support, Vinesh, Rebecca and Indigo were able to represent QUT on a global stage and gain new perspectives on leadership, community and change.
For Vinesh, the impact was profound.
"Where I thought I would be in five years has completely shifted thanks to the conference."