On Tuesday 8 May, the Australian National University (ANU) TechLauncher Showcase took place at Canberra’s Narrabundah College.
Hosted by the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, the event is one of two formal opportunities each year where students share their TechLauncher project with clients, entrepreneurs, industry and Canberra’s Innovation community.
In its fourth year, the TechLauncher program sees students work as a team on real world projects, addressing challenges across a variety of industries and disciplines. The program aims to help students develop the research and professional skills required to use technology to bring ideas to life.
Students can take on a project submitted by industry or use the program as a platform to launch their own idea or start-up while guided by experienced industry mentors, technology experts and entrepreneurs.
Engineering student Ali Bulbul, a member of the OrthoApp project, an interactive app to inform orthopaedic patients during their treatment journey, spoke of the TechLauncher program and its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.
“The program is unique by being able to work cross-disciplinary with students from other backgrounds, I would never having envisaged working with a team of computer science students. The world is so open and projects are complex, so gone are the days where engineers just work with engineers to solve a problem.”
“I have really benefitted from the experience and I think this will be a catalyst for so many of us to go forward” Ali said.
Gulmohar Ahluwalia, an engineering student working on the high altitude balloon stabilisation project with Mt Stromlo, said that the team collaboration and hands-on experience had been the highlights.
“It has been good to have the experience managing a team of people to deliver something of value to a client, it’s such an interesting task. It feels like you’re doing an internship and has been a fantastic” Gulmohar said.
TechLauncher convener Charles Gretton thanked clients, mentors and tutors who passionately share their expertise and knowledge in advising students, highlighting that the collaboration sees “folks from industry and government guide the students, inviting them into their organisations and treating them as family”.
The ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science would like to thank Narrabundah College Principal Kerrie Grundy for her support in hosting the showcase at the Narrabundah College campus.
For more information on how you can get involved with TechLauncher, visit the TechLauncher website