College students from Los Angeles will visit The Precinct today to learn how Queensland’s world leading innovation policies are creating the jobs of the future.
Acting Innovation Minister and McConnel MP Grace Grace said the visit was part of a two-week mission to Australia through the Los Angeles Mayor’s Young Ambassador (MaYA) program.
“We’re investing in industries that we know will create jobs for Queenslanders long into the future,” she said.
“Queensland is becoming world-renowned as a great place to start a business and scale up – that’s why we have entrepreneurs flocking to our great state to learn how we support local startups.
“The Precinct is home to some of Queensland’s brightest startup and innovation talent including Data61, Clipchamp, Kapiche, River City Labs and TravelbyBit as well as QUT’s Foundry.
“We have some of the brightest minds and leading entrepreneurs in Australia and The Precinct is the best place to go to meet our innovation movers and shakers.
“Queensland is also leading the way in the international education sector which injects $5.38 billion into the economy and we welcome these students from the MaYA program which promotes the value of tertiary education and provides these fantastic opportunities.”
Established in 2018 by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, MaYA is a free international travel program for community college students who qualify for free tuition under the
Los Angeles College Promise program.
The students will visit Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide to experience our unique Australian culture, business and community.
Mayor Garcetti said the MaYA program develops the next generation of globally-minded leaders by connecting young Angelenos with the international community.
“Los Angeles is a city that prides itself on opening doors of opportunity, and the Mayor’s Young Ambassador program does just that by giving College Promise students the opportunity to learn about global issues firsthand,” said Mayor Garcetti.
“Queensland’s innovative spirit is a perfect match with Los Angeles’, and on-the-ground insights from the visit will serve MaYA students long into the future.”
Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Leanne Kemp said the visit was an incredible opportunity for both the students and startups in The Precinct.
“Queensland is home to many excellent programs designed to encourage budding entrepreneurs at different stages of the startup process from ideation right through to prototyping and business launch,” Ms Kemp said.
“There is an exciting ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in Queensland which is supported by remarkable teaching, research, enterprise and industry partners.
“We are creating a culture that encourages innovators to disrupt existing ways of thinking and doing, and start finding solutions with impact for local and global problems. We are creating opportunities for innovation and positive change right here in Queensland.”
