And introducing . . . ‘Innovation Idol’

May 02, 2007

Hot on the heels of Australian Idol comes Innovation Idol – one of the showcase events the University of Wollongong is hosting in support of the Australian Innovation Festival and the Illawarra Innovation Showcase.

Innovation Idol will showcase UOW research students’ capacity to develop an innovative solution to a hypothetical problem in Australia – and their ability to ‘pitch’ their innovative idea.

The free event will provide an interactive, entertaining and fun avenue for presenting serious aspects of the innovation process, by following the formula established in shows such as “Australian Idol”. All are welcome but bookings should be made by phoning Leisa Ridges, Commercial Research Officer (Research and Innovation Division) on 4221 4817 or email leisa@uow.edu.au

Ideas will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges with audience participation selecting finalists and the ultimate winner. [Date, time and venue: 6pm, Friday 11 May in the UniCentre Function Centre, Room 1 and Foyer].

UOW is hosting seven events in all as part of the Innovation Festival including:

• Innovation on Foot. People are being urged to join this walking tour of UOW’s main campus highlighting what’s new and innovative at the University. The tour will include a visit to the new Graduate School of Medicine and various research institutes, including the pioneering Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and the Smart Foods Centre. The free tour takes about two hours and bookings should be made with Jan Sullivan or Leanne Crouch by phoning 4221 3110 or email: community@uow.edu.au It is being held between 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday 9 May.

• Public Forum on Energy Options for 2020. This thought-provoking and informative free forum will be moderated by ABC Radio’s Simone Whetton and presented by some of the country’s leading experts in their fields. Dr John Carras (Science Director with the CSIRO Division of Energy Technology) will present on fossil fuels; Professor David Officer (University of Wollongong’s ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science) will talk about solar technology; and Associate Professor Martin Sevior (University of Melbourne) will focus on nuclear energy. Bookings can be made with Kim or Lara by phoning 4286 5000. It is being held at 7pm on Tuesday 8 May.

• Social Innovation in Organisations. The Social Innovation Network formed across faculties at the University of Wollongong will host this novel interactive forum to discuss approaches for improving quality of life and how to address this in the workplace. All are welcome to this free event. Bookings should be made by phoning 4221 3757. It is being held at 6pm on Thursday 10 May in the Social Club, Level 1, UniCentre.

The Australian Innovation Festival is being conducted between 26 April to 27 May while the Illawarra Innovation Showcase is being held from 7 May to 13 May. More than 42 organisations are taking part with the official opening to be held at the Port Kembla Port Corporation on Monday 7 May. The Minister for Police and Minister for the Illawarra, Mr David Campbell, is officially opening the Showcase.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128