Bridging Digital Access Together

Business Innovation Challenge

This challenge invites participants to propose innovative solutions—digital or otherwise—that could drastically improve the acceptance and adoption of technologies such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other internet-connected devices. The goal is to enhance both citizens’ daily lives and business operations, enabling more people to be socially and professionally connected.

Registration closes on September 15

With digital technology and connectivity advancements, Territorians are increasingly introduced to new tools and processes that require a higher degree of digital literacy to effectively integrate into their daily lives. While many people are successfully connecting online, significant portions of the population still face challenges in adopting these technologies. Remote and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, older Australians, and individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds often struggle to keep pace with the digital shift.

Participants are encouraged to consider the unique barriers faced by these communities and develop strategies that address these challenges. Whether through new educational initiatives, user-friendly device interfaces, community-driven support networks, or other creative approaches, this competition seeks to identify practical solutions that can bridge the digital divide and empower all Territorians to fully participate in the digital economy.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO?

Stand out by submitting your most innovative project ideas / proposal / prototype to be evaluated by a panel of industry experts. You solution must address the challenge goals above.

Your team must pitch your work to a panel of judges on the Challenge date at Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus:

Wednesday, 9th of October 2024, at Mal Nairn Auditorium, CDU Casuarina
DURATION: 10 minutes pitching + 5 mins Q&A per team

Please submit your substantial work-in-progress by the Project Submission Deadline stated below. These may include draft presentation slides or any other forms of work-in-progress.

Online information session
~~26 Aug 2024, 4 PM – 5 PM~~ via Microsoft Teams link
Project submission deadline
~~20 Sep 2024 (the submission link has been emailed to eligible registrants)~~
Competition
~~09 Oct 2024, 09:00 – 17:00~~
~~Mal Nairn Auditorium, CDU Casuarina~~

Eligibility

All students who are currently enrolled on CDU’s Information Technology courses (undergraduate, postgraduate, TAFE)

Judging Criteria

Students will be required to present how they approached this challenge, their ideas and designs Submissions will be judged according to several criteria: problem-solving impact, technological innovation, scalability, user experience, ethical considerations and presentation.