Outreach Activities

The IERG aims to share the value created from research and teaching activities across the (both for profit and not-for-profit) community through its outreach activities.

In addition to the indirect outreach activities flowing from the teaching and research activities (for example in the last three years we have linked students with over 20 new businesses) we are actively ensuring that we directly impact the entrepreneurial community. These activities can be grouped by those led by the Faculty, and those led by students and facilitated by the Faculty.

Faculty-led outreach - These activities centre on an annual symposium linking industry and academia.

• WUN Global Enterprise - is a pioneering platform that provides a connection point to identify issues, stimulate initiatives and motivate leaders to deliver enterprise skills and practices in global business and social environments, to expand the impact and effectiveness of entrepreneurship in higher education.
• The Asia Pacific Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation - The University of Sydney Faculty of Economics and Business, in conjunction with the United States Studies Centre proudly presents the first Asia Pacific Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The theme of the inaugural 2009 Symposium is "New thinking and practice". This symposium will involve academia, industry and policymakers, bringing together theory and practice on entrepreneurship and innovation. Particular emphasis will be placed on international dimensions.
• Engaging with not-for-profit organisations and remote and local indigenous communities (through education, business advice and student exchanges) ensuring the University's entrepreneurial activity benefits some of our more disadvantaged communities. We have benefited from strong support from a number of indigenous institutions, organizations and leaders. The two-way learning is highly regarded by both students and communities.

Student Ventures - These activities currently include:

• Sydney Genesis - a student-led business planning competition that aims to encourage and develop entrepreneurial activity across The University. The initiative is currently led by students from the Faculty of Economics & Business, and includes organising students from the Faculty of Engineering. The inaugural competition was held in 2008 as a pilot for the first fully-fledged competition in 2009. Funding and industry involvement is currently being sought.
• Sydney Enterprise - This organisation runs projects that ultimately develop the capacity and success of social enterprise in Australia and Asia-Pacific region. The projects engage Faculty members, business mentors and students in "Active Research" requiring hands-on participation to solve difficult social, environmental or cultural problems. Current and previous projects have included not-for-profit organisations, remote indigenous communities, and social enterprises in Australia, Ecuador and East Timor.
• Student-led Entrepreneurship Workshops - a Faculty-funded series of workshops led by students for other students, covering topics including: strategy for entrepreneurs, finance for entrepreneurs, marketing for entrepreneurs and accounts & the entrepreneur. The workshops were first run in March 2008, with funding secured to run a third series through 2009.
• Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES) has a strong membership base of over 400 students at the University. The organisation encourages students to participate in entrepreneurial learning and activity across The University. The club is organizing speakers and entrepreneurship events annually.
• SIFE Sydney Chapter is an organisation managed under the University Union, and focuses on supporting social enterprise activities. The Sydney Chapter has enjoyed recognition and awards for their projects at each of the last three national championships. Advisory Board members are currently sought for the student club. Current funding will enable the student club to continue up to 2010.