Dymocks innovation challenge to launch student leadership program

The Dymocks Innovation Challenge will be the first ‘real-world’ task assigned to the undergraduate cohort taking part in the leadership program designed to develop the nation’s future business and ideas generators. 

Dr Ehssan Sakhaee, Director of Undergraduate Leadership Program, School of Civil Engineering said while students will receive support from industry mentors and academics it will be driven primarily by the undergraduates themselves.

“The program provides a collaborative environment where students from varying academic and social backgrounds can join to solve problems and challenges together.

 “Sixty students from across the university will be invited to form groups with members coming from varying disciplines to investigate new concepts, business innovation ideas and creative technology solutions for the national book retailer.

“We could for example have students studying information technologies, engineering, arts, medicine or business all working together creating a future look Dymocks,”  Dr Sakhaee said.

Mr Steve Cox Dymocks Managing Director said: “Dymocks is delighted to continue its support of new and innovative thinking. The objective of the Challenge is to help generate, promote and reward commercial and innovative thinking among undergraduate students at the University.

“We are definitely open to any smart or clever ideas that could potentially provide an innovative and improved customer experience at our stores.”

“The digital Innovation category asks students to think of ‘smart ideas’ that give an improved customer experience and are in line with rapidly changing technologies. The challenge also addresses ongoing customer engagement and better business models,” he said.

With a wide network of locally owned and operated stores, Dymocks  is also open-minded about the potential concepts from the student leadership group.

“Young minds are like new books – when opened you discover new and exciting ideas,” said Mr Cox who encouraged the student to present their ‘surprise us’ concepts.

Among the mentoring team is University of Sydney postgraduate student Arun Prasad recently named in Australia GradConnection Top100 Future Leaders. 

The developer of responsive web and e-commerce web applications says opportunities such as the student leadership program are invaluable learning opportunities for students.

“Each team will create their concept for a future Dymocks and present their solutions to a panel of judges including the Dymocks Managing Director,” he said.

Dymocks has supported the ongoing endeavors of the Student leadership program with a philanthropic donation.