In a rapidly changing world, experts have warned regional centres may get left behind if businesses fail to foster innovation.
This week, the talented minds of 13 La Trobe University students were put to the test as they aimed to solve the barriers preventing Albury organisations from embracing a culture of innovation.
Domestic and international students from La Trobe's Bundoora and Albury-Wodonga campuses identified factors such as time and resource constraints that hindered businesses from leveraging opportunities in rural communities.
This was all part of La Trobe Rural Health School's annual five-day Rural Innovation Sprint, in partnership with Albury City Council and the University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship team.
The Sprint provided students from diverse fields across IT, finance, analytics, health, veterinary science and psychology a platform to work closely on real-world problems with three regional businesses including Mercy Connect, Align Work Health and Formulae Compounding Pharmacists.
Dr Guinever Threlkeld, Albury-Wodonga Head of Campus, said La Trobe was proud of its strong connections with local industry and shared commitments to innovation.
"This year's Sprint attracted highly qualified students, many with tech and health expertise. Exposing these students to regional opportunities, like those in Albury, is crucial to highlighting the potential for innovation," Dr Threlkeld said.
"Students engaged in a structured process using design, prototyping and testing to develop tangible solutions. They're now equipped with the skills needed to work on real projects that have measurable outcomes, while leaving a lasting impact on Albury businesses and the broader community."
Albury was an ideal case study for this Sprint due to its existing creativity and innovation, exemplified by annual events such as the Winter Solstice's approach to creating a meaningful moment.
"AlburyCity is proud to be part of this initiative, partnering with La Trobe University and local businesses to foster innovation within our community and create a unique opportunity for cross-sector collaboration," said Mayor Kevin Mack.
Caroline Cummins, CEO of Mercy Connect, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in an initiative that is aligned with the core values of the not-for-profit organisation.
"We believe that collaboration is key to driving innovation and creating solutions for real-world challenges," Caroline said.
"By harnessing the knowledge and ideas of students, we aim to not only push the boundaries of what's possible but also contribute to a sustainable, outcomes-focused future."
Since its inception in 2022, Sprint Coordinator Dr Brad Hodge has led more than seven successful cohorts of students to generate actionable ideas and solutions to regional-specific problems.
Dr Hodge said this Sprint had highlighted the huge potential for innovation, despite often limited resources in regional areas compared with urban communities, and the importance of a mindset shift to unleashing this potential.
"The real barrier isn't a lack of creativity; it's overcoming the fear of failure," Dr Hodge said.
"We need to create an environment where people are empowered to take risks and failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a setback.
"With the right mindset and support, regional centres like Albury-Wodonga can build on their established resilience and innovative cultures for a sustainable future."
PHOTO: Mayor of AlburyCity Kevin Mack, students Thi Bich Tram Nguyen and Min Gamboa, and Albury-Wodonga Head of Campus Dr Guinever Threlkeld.
