Practising Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII) is a degree designed to create a student that can change the world. The degree encompasses high-level critical and creative thinking, invention, complexity, innovation, future scenario building and entrepreneurship. The BCII is a double degree which can be taken in conjunction with 25 other core degrees at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The internship program delivered within this degree is titled Innovation Internship A; it is a core, credit-bearing unit delivered to students in their final year of study.

Work placements are secured using two methods:

1. The university works with several industry partners, engaging with them to develop a placement for students that is leading edge and innovative. Opportunities developed for students range from specific project work in innovation labs, to working with banks, engineering, accounting and consultancy firms. Students might also work with small “disrupter” start-up’s that are trying to build sustainable enterprises. To secure a  work-placement that has been facilitated by the university, students must apply through a competitive process, much like applying for an employment position.
2. Students secure their own work-placement with the support of university staff. This provides students with flexibility to secure an opportunity with a company of their choice, related to their interests or future employment goals, that is located either locally, regionally or overseas.

The work placement itself must be innovative and provide students with the opportunity to practice innovation in the real world.

Impact / Outcomes

Students: there have been several students offered employment opportunities with the industry partner following their work placement. Further, several student’s report securing employment based on the skills and experiences they developed during their internship.

Industry Partners: The industry partners have wanted more students to do internships, hence continuing their partnership with UTS. Additionally, industry partners have gone on to develop Capstone Projects in collaboration with UTS based on their positive experiences with the internship program.

Teaching Staff: teaching staff are not involved in mentoring students during the internship, however students can attend optimal capacity building sessions and additional workshops hosted by the UTS careers service.

Student Assessment

Students are required to submit three assessments:

1. A report outlining their career aspirations and planning for experiential learning.
2. A summary report outlining the internship which includes field notes and lessons learned.
3. A creative investigation of innovations oriented workplace practices, completed as a group assessment.

Evaluation

Student evaluations are collected through standard UTS course evaluation processes. Additionally students are involved in co-designing the course and participate in interviews to contribute to its improvement.

Industry partners provide feedback about students as part of the students assessment procedures. Further, the UTS staff managing industry partnerships are in conversation with larger industry partners often creating an open feedback loop and deep-partnership.