Company: Innovation Central Brisbane I Queensland University of Technology
Company Description: Innovation Central Brisbane (ICB) is a cutting-edge university-industry collaboration, advancing digital transformation through an open innovation ecosystem and research hub. Led in partnership by QUT and Cisco, ICB exists to connect industry with students, recent graduates and researchers to design, develop and scale digital prototypes and technology solutions to address real-world challenges.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Business Products –10 or Less Employees
 Nomination Title: Gemma Alker
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
From the age of 15, I’ve wanted to be a part of creating possibility and bringing ideas to life. This drive ignited my career and continues to fuel my passion for entrepreneurial education.
I strongly believe in rethinking the industrial, linear way in which our education systems are structured. This is deeply personal for me, as I saw my son, who was later diagnosed with dyslexia, struggle profoundly with the strictures of NAPLAN in his early schooling. That experience fuelled my primal conviction that everyone deserves an opportunity to believe in themselves, and it’s through connections that everyone can contribute and benefit.
At my core, I’m a connector. With almost 20 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within universities, ASX listed companies, start-ups, and not-for-profits, I’ve dedicated the past decade to driving growth strategies in the education sector. I currently lead the global engagement and partnership strategy between QUT and international technology giant Cisco, and as the Director of Innovation Central Brisbane, lead a digital open innovation lab.
I’ve created my own seven-step C.O.N.N.E.C.T. methodology for how to build impactful partnerships that connect universities, industry, government and big tech to build thriving innovation ecosystems.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
1) My most significant achievement was a $3 million, three-year partnership between QUT and Cisco as part of Cisco’s $61 million Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) initiative.
The QUT/Cisco partnership [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] has three contracted elements: Cisco Research Chair dedicated to emerging technology and industry vertical, National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN) membership, and Queensland’s only on-campus, Cisco-co-funded innovation lab.
Located in QUT’s CBD campus, Innovation Central Brisbane is equipped with state-of-art Cisco technology that students access to create digital prototypes, including collaboration whiteboards, maker-space, 3D printing, VR, and cameras.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] a partnership [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] with the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science, students participated in the Youth Research Forum (YRF), designing innovative future food systems prototypes.
2) As part of the Cisco and QUT partnership, we committed to producing thought leadership through research artefacts, including academic-led white papers. My role is to create, lead and deliver the communication and growth strategy to amplify research that generates industry partnerships, enhances reputation, and builds community.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
3) I travelled twice to the US to present on the results of Cisco’s investment in Australian universities, including at the National Retail Federation conference in New York, participate in an entrepreneurship development bootcamp at MIT in Boston (where I collaborated on the winning pitch!), and plan a women’s innovation study tour.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
- Youth Research Forum flyer and report: [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] partnership with Queensland Government providing students access to funds and industry connections to progress hackathon ideas to digital prototypes solving for carbon and human-friendly future food.
- Youth Research Forum - The Mini Myco: Two female QUT STEM PhD students won the state award for best project (across seven universities and 1600 students) for their digital prototype: growing alternative protein at home.
- Thought leadership events (YT link): I designed and led the strategy to amplify two white papers - Trusted Retail Innovation (April 2021) and Trust Benevolence (April 2023) - through industry events, CEO roundtables, keynotes, panels, global webinars, conferences, media, digital marketing, and social media.
- Deloitte Higher Education Report: Cisco/QUT partnership profiled in Deloitte’s report, ‘Co-Designing Futures’ (page 28).
- ‘The CONNECTED Enterprise’ (YT link): Keynote on my C.O.N.N.E.C.T. framework for building university-industry-student partnership ecosystems.
- ‘From the Classroom to the Boardroom’ Masterclass: Trained 50 international university recruitment agents in my C.O.N.N.E.C.T framework for igniting student experience.
- BSB105 The Future Enterprise Unit: Unit coordinator A/Prof Paula Dootson and I received a 2022 Vice Chancellor’s Award for ‘Classroom to Boardroom’ Initiative.
- Global Innovation Challenge 2022: International two-week bootcamp for 50 Masters students from eight business schools globally. I co-designed the program and brought in industry partners.
- ‘Cairns “kidpreneurs” article’ (ABC News link): Prior to QUT, I led Club Kidpreneur, a national social enterprise start-up fostering entrepreneurial skills in primary school children.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
The achievements I’ve highlighted are unique because they’re powered by my own IP, the C.O.N.N.E.C.T. methodology, which I’ve presented to more than 2,000 people in multiple keynotes.
Strategic partnerships are in my DNA; I love to laterally connect unlikely or unaware stakeholders for a shared purpose or mission. Across my career, I’ve tirelessly pursued innovative education opportunities that link industry, government, big tech with students and academia.
In previous roles, I’ve used my skills as a connector to do everything from launching the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre with the Premier of Queensland, to designing innovative Indigenous and women’s leadership education programs, to teaching entrepreneurship skills to primary school students nationally via the Club Kidpreneur Foundation.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] In my current role, I’ve championed a connected partnership innovation ecosystem, always activating inclusion of lateral stakeholders to create greater value and impact for all.
I believe innovation in partnership is fundamental to Australia’s success in education and progression as a society. Put simply, we need to work together to progress as a country. I don’t believe in linear or transactional partnerships, and always strive to find new and shared value between big tech, industry, government, and all layers of education.
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