By Jaqquline Lawrie, 23 June, 2025
What happens when you take a group of ambitious QUT MBA students out of the classroom and into the boardrooms of Queensland’s most innovative and successful organisations? You get a study tour that bridges theory and practice, offering exclusive access to high-growth sectors and the opportunity to build valuable connections across the region.
This year, the QUT Graduate School of Business launched the Queensland Study Tour (QST)—an intimate, curated experience for up to 20 MBA students and alumni, led by Professor Sarah Kelly OAM, Head of the QUT Graduate School of Business.
While international study tours have long been part of the QUT MBA experience, connecting students with global markets and leading academics, the QST introduces a new opportunity. It uncovers the world-class industries and globally connected businesses thriving in Queensland, highlighting the rich international opportunities available right here at home.
Participants engage directly with senior industry leaders across a wide variety of industries who are shaping Australia’s economy and influencing global trends. Through immersive site visits, C-suite roundtables, and hands-on learning opportunities, students explore key themes like innovation, sustainability, strategic planning, and emerging technologies, all within the context of our home state.
Exploring new perspectives
As part of the QST, participants travelled across Queensland over several days, visiting world-class facilities and renowned organisations. They gained behind-the-scenes access to a diverse range of leaders and organisations, including the Brisbane Broncos, Volvo Manufacturing, Port of Townsville, Vaxxas, Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, Ark Energy, LifeFlight, Rino Recycling, and SwarmFarm Robotics.
For Micah Edwards, QUT MBA student and Manager of Infrastructure Delivery at Lockyer Valley Regional Council, the tour offered exactly the kind of exposure he was seeking. Micah joined the QUT MBA to broaden his perspective and move beyond his current technical engineering role and into senior leadership.
Having spent his entire career in the engineering sector, Micah was drawn to the QST for the opportunity to explore leadership across a range of industries and observe how different sectors operate at the executive level.
“I’ve been quite siloed in the engineering industry for my whole career, so when I saw the QUT Queensland Study Tour advertised, I knew it was my chance to experience different industries,” said Micah.
“The opportunity to be welcomed into boardrooms of that calibre isn’t something that would be possible outside of the QUT MBA.”
For fellow MBA student Merendi Leverett, CEO of Authentic Healthpreneurs and Allied Heath Lead at BlueCare, the QST also offered a similar opportunity to learn from industry leaders beyond her sector and apply those insights directly to her business.
“As someone who leads teams and consults with businesses in the allied health space, I was drawn to the opportunity to step outside my sector and learn from industries facing different forms of transformation and complexity,” said Merendi.
“The QUT Queensland Study Tour offered just that—a chance to gain practical, real-world insights into leadership, innovation, sustainability, and digital strategy.
“I wanted to observe how businesses across Queensland respond to crises, adapt to global and local industry shifts, and embrace emerging technologies like AI.
“I wanted to reflect on how these experiences and insights could apply to my own leadership journey and future business ventures.”
Gaining real-world access
Each site visit provided a unique and immersive experience, ranging from private tours to intimate conversations with executives and roundtable discussions with C-suite members. Reflecting on the hands-on nature of the tour, Micah shared, “On the Queensland Study Tour, several organisations gave us exclusive behind-the-scenes access—Brisbane Broncos took us through the players’ training and coaching spaces, Vaxxas toured us through their manufacturing facility, and Rino Recycling walked us through their plant while operations were in full swing.”
QUT MBA Queensland Study Tour participants tour Rino Recycling headquarters
“Each site visit was followed by open roundtable discussions with senior leaders, directors, and CEOs, where we could ask any question and receive real, honest answers and advice,” he said.
Healthcare entrepreneur and MBA student Shaina Zheng, Co-Owner of Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach, joined the QST to see firsthand how well-established leaders approach their work and to learn from their unique perspectives and strategies. She described the roundtable discussions as a standout element of the experience.
“One of the standout moments for me on the Queensland Study Tour was the roundtable discussions.
“They gave us the chance to dive deep into some truly inspiring innovations, particularly in healthcare and renewable energy.
“Hearing directly from industry leaders who are pushing boundaries in these fields was both eye-opening and energising—it sparked some great conversations and fresh ideas among the group,” she said.
Merendi echoed Shaina’s sentiment, reflecting that while there were many standout moments throughout the QST, it was the real-world access to the leaders behind these organisations that left a lasting impression.
“Engaging with CEOs, general managers, and subject matter experts from some of Queensland’s most innovative businesses and projects highlighted how leadership, innovation, and social responsibility come together to shape future-focused business models that make a real impact across industries and communities,” said Merendi.
“These behind-the-scenes interactions offered a rare look into the operational realities and strategic thinking driving some of Queensland’s most innovative projects.”
Put learning into practice
The outcomes from the QST were both immediate and long-lasting. For many participants, the experience led to professional growth, with learnings they could apply directly to their roles and organisations. For others, it offered renewed clarity and a deeper commitment to purpose-driven impact.
Reflecting on the practical takeaways she was able to implement in her role at BlueCare and her own business, Merendi shared, “The QUT Queensland Study Tour has strengthened my understanding of how to embed sustainability, lead digital transformation, and leverage partnerships to expand both service delivery and business reach.
“I have also developed a deeper appreciation for the need to adapt leadership styles to different contexts—something I’ll carry forward in mentoring staff, coaching health business owners, guiding strategic planning, and shaping resilient business models.
“The exposure to real-world innovation and systems thinking has been transformative and will directly influence my work moving forward,” she said.
MBA students and alumni engage in a round-table with Wagner Corporation executives during the Queensland Study Tour
For Shaina, the tour reinforced just how central purpose and impact have become in today’s business landscape.
“A major takeaway for me from the QUT Queensland Study Tour was that making a positive impact on society isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s becoming a core part of how successful businesses operate.
“Purpose-driven organisations are not only more inspiring, but often more resilient and innovative as well.
Adding to the takeaways she took from the QST, Shaina also reflected on how the connections and takeaways from the tour will continue to support her professional journey.
“The insights gained from the Queensland Study Tour, along with the strong relationships built within the group, will continue to support me in my career.
“The experience was a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration, creativity, and purpose-driven leadership.
“It’s inspired me to keep thinking outside the box and exploring innovative ways to create meaningful value—not just for the business, but for the broader communities we serve,” she said.
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