Queensland has strengthened its position as a global innovation centre in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 with QUT securing a new five-year collaboration with world-renowned MIT Sloan School of Management.
The multi-year agreement focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and academic exchange, generating significant research and education opportunities for Queensland.
Since establishing Australia's first MIT Sloan university collaboration in 2019, QUT has been connecting entrepreneurs, educators and researchers with world-leading networks while developing practical solutions for real-world challenges.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil AO said the collaboration would continue to provide a platform to identify and develop commercial opportunities in areas of high demand such as clean energy research (including biofuels) and enhancing impact and sustainability, with joint programs positioning Queensland as a globally connected innovation hub.
"This collaboration connects Queenslanders directly to the pulse of global entrepreneurship," Professor Sheil said.
"Together with MIT Sloan, we are empowering local innovators to tackle complex challenges, drive sustainable economic growth and create the industries and jobs of the future.
"At a time when global collaboration is critical, renewing this relationship with MIT Sloan reaffirms our commitment to delivering transformative learning experiences and research with real-world impact."
Global Programs for MIT Sloan Assistant Dean David Capodilupo said: "We are grateful to continue our strong relationship with the Queensland University of Technology as we focus together on developing future generations of global leaders.
"It is critical to our mission at MIT Sloan, to support QUT's innovative research in the areas of climate action and sustainability to drive economic and social impact to their region and beyond."
Through the collaboration, QUT students, staff and industry partners have gained access to immersive events, intensive bootcamps, and collaborative programs. These experiences are fuelling change across Queensland with alumni of these programs now leading innovation agendas in sustainability, education and beyond.
Professor of Management at MIT Sloan School of Management Scott Stern said: "Our partnership with QUT's EMBA and MBA programs is deeply rewarding, built on a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurial excellence.
"I'm genuinely excited to continue working closely with QUT students, empowering them with strategic frameworks and an entrepreneurial mindset that embraces ethical business, social responsibility, and global impact."
Chris Raleigh, co-founder of sustainable activewear brand Earthletica and QUT MBA student, credits the MIT Fuse program with sharpening his business strategy and unlocking new investor connections.
"This program and the opportunities afforded to QUT students was invaluable to me as an aspiring entrepreneur," Mr Raleigh said.
"Through immersion programs at MIT Sloan, I had built global networks of industry peers and mentors who became a critical foundation for building Earthletica.
"Last year we were accepted into one of the world's top start-up accelerator programs Techstars, which has a less than 1 per cent acceptance rate, and one of only two activewear brands in its portfolio of just under 5000 companies.
"We now have our sights on 2032 and becoming a globally successful activewear company.
"None of this would have been possible without my study at QUT and opportunities I had through the MIT Sloan collaboration.
"It gave me the confidence, ambition, vision and know-how that can only come from being surrounded by the world's best entrepreneurs and innovators."
The collaboration has also seen QUT academic leaders embedded at MIT Sloan as International Faculty Fellows, bringing world-leading insights back to classrooms in Brisbane.
In 2023, QUT academic Professor Anup Basu began his tenure as an MIT International Faculty Fellow to further his research on sustainable investment principles and investment performance.
The collaboration is built on a strong foundation between Queensland Government, QUT and MIT Sloan. Queensland Connects, a program that supports regional innovation ecosystems across the state, was founded as an outcome of Team Queensland's participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (REAP).
Delivered by QUT in partnership with the Queensland Government, the Queensland Connects program now helps local leaders — from Goondiwindi to Gladstone — identify unique regional strengths and turn them into economic opportunities.
MIT faculty members engaged with the program to support local leaders to leverage the distinctive strengths of their region and develop their innovation ecosystem.
Professor Sheil said Queensland Connects and the broader engagement with MIT Sloan was a powerful example of innovation in action.
"Innovation doesn't just live in the capital cities or universities. Through this partnership, we're building a state of innovators, problem-solvers and globally connected leaders," Professor Sheil said.
"As Queensland looks to 2032 and beyond, the renewed QUT-MIT collaboration stands as a powerful engine for innovation, connecting local talent with global expertise, and turning bold ideas into real-world impact."
Top image: MIT and QUT representatives sign the collaboration, including (third from left) David Capodilipo, Assistant Dean, Global Programs, MIT Sloan School of Management, and (third from right) Professor Sarah Kelly OAM (Head, Graduate School of Business, QUT).
