Two leading Indian entrepreneurs will travel to Queensland to work with local companies and education providers as part of the 2019 India Innovators Experience competition announced today.
Ministerial Champion for International Education Kate Jones will officially announce the competition at the Bangalore Tech Summit during a trade mission to India this week.
"The winners of this competition will get to experience the best we have to offer our entrepreneurs and students in Queensland. They’ll share their experience with colleagues at home in India," she said.
"India has one of the fastest growing economies on the planet. It’s crucial that Queensland entrepreneurs form strong relationships with their Indian counterparts and that’s what this program is all about.
"As part of their trip to Queensland, the two winners of the competition will visit education and training providers and innovation hubs like the Precinct in Fortitude Valley.
"There are more than 120,000 students studying across Queensland, with India the state’s second-largest source market for students.
"Queensland has some of the best educational institutions on the planet and a thriving innovation ecosystem.
"That’s why growing our $4 billion international education sector makes sense for Queensland."
Study Queensland Executive Director Shannon Willoughby said the competition was open to two university graduate entrepreneurs or start-up founders aged between 21 and 40.
"This competition aims to educate Indian parents, agents and prospective international students on the uniqueness of being a student in Queensland and the opportunities that exist around setting up a start-up in Queensland," Ms Willoughby said.
Study Queensland is a business unit of Trade and Investment Queensland, the State Government’s global business agency, which has offices in 12 key markets around the world.
Trade and Investment Queensland has had an office in Bangalore since 2004.
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said In 2017, Queensland sold more than $9.4 billion of goods to India - representing a 34 per cent increase on the previous year and more than 60 per cent of Australia’s total exports to India.
"The international education and training sector is one of our state’s most valuable industries but it brings more than just economic benefits for Queensland," Ms Jones said.
"It also enriches our communities and brings new skills and talent to our workforce."
Final details on how to apply will be available in January. Entrepreneurs can register their interest via the Study Queensland website: studyqueensland.qld.gov.au
