Monash University is passionate about providing students with rich experiences that build their skills and industry connections, and set them up for success in their future careers.
Monash Student Teams encourages students to not only apply their learnings, but evolve their passions and drive through entrepreneurship and the development of tangible, job-ready skills.
The initiative draws students from a range of disciplines to develop and actualise design, manufacturing and engineering solutions through mini-startup teams, with some competing and leading at a global level. Each team rallies around a distinct mission, from developing electric motorsport engines to designing net zero housing solutions for social impact.
“They’re completely run by students,” says Alex Collins, who is the Dynamics Team Lead in his team, Monash High Powered Rocketry. “There’s rover teams, motorsport teams, rocketry teams, their goal is to compete in international and national competitions and to design some sort of engineering system.”
“It’s so practical, it’s so hands-on,” says Chloe Chang, Team Lead of Monash Nova Rover. “It's also a place where you can grow your passions and meet people who are like-minded; to come together and collaborate to make something that is bigger than all of us. Student teams are the best way to prepare for your career in engineering.”
And with women still underrepresented in STEM industries, there is a strong representation of women and non-binary students in the program, with one third of participants either female or non-binary.
Philanthropy powers their future
Monash Student Teams wouldn’t be possible without our visionary philanthropic community.
“Without the support of our generous donors, we wouldn’t be able to prepare our students for industry like we do,” explains Associate Professor Scott Wordley, Director of Monash Student Teams.
“The project is allowing them to challenge themselves, teaching them to work together with a variety of professions, mentoring, performance management. It’s really like running your own small company so that when they hit industry they are ready to make an impact.”
Drs Alan and Elizabeth Finkel are proud supporters of the Monash Motorsport Team. Dr Alan Finkel AC shares the student’s passions and ambition for impact. He’s seen first hand the palpable energy and enthusiasm of students producing work they love.
“It’s quite exciting to go into the Makerspace and to see fifty, sixty students across multiple faculties, working together in a coordinated fashion, aspiring to be the best in the world and achieving it,” says Finkel.
“For me as a philanthropist, it’s not just a place of giving, for me it’s like a partnership. We’re working together to achieve something. They’re doing all the work, I admit it, but I feel I’m part of it anyway. I’m personally excited for these young people to blossom,” - Dr Alan Finkel.
Michaela Sykes-Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Monash Motorsport
“I was on track to pass through uni without having explored any of what Monash had to offer, and without any memorable experiences at all. Joining Monash Motorsport is what got me involved, learning, remembering and enjoying my experiences here. It made me passionate about university and has also opened the door to a huge amount of professional opportunities for me to take on during and after my degree.”
Alex Collins, Dynamics Team Lead, Monash High Powered Rocketry
“The people in Monash Student Teams are the next generation of engineers who are going to change the world.”
Rebecca Leith, Team Co-Lead Monash Nova Rover
“Joining a student team changed my life. I switched courses and began engineering after joining Monash Nova Rover. I have met so many other students who have taught me so much, both technically and managerially. I have met industry representatives and government officials which has led me to build many amazing connections throughout the industries I hope to enter.”
Join us to Change it. For Future Generations
Monash University’s Change It. For Future Generations campaign has a focus on empowering our future leaders and ensuring students have access to rich experiences without barriers. Monash Student Teams goes a long way to helping students explore entrepreneurship and build industry networks through this truly unique, solutions-focussed initiative.
You too have the power to support the next generation of change-makers. Join us as we work together to address this global challenge. We invite you to have a conversation with our team to find out how your support can create real and meaningful change, and transform our world for the better.