Inspired to Innovate: UniSA x Bupa Challenge

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A collaborative early careers employability initiative with Bupa and the University of South Australia.

Program Structure

Eligibility

Key Dates

Program outcomes

How to apply

FAQs


Inspired to Innovate: UniSA x Bupa Challenge is a collaborative initiative with UniSA and Bupa that aims to enhance your employability skills by participating in a hackathon, where you will be placed in teams to work on solving real-life challenges. The winning team will be awarded a paid internship at UniSA for 150 hours across 10 weeks, proudly sponsored by Bupa.

Program structure

Application

Complete the application form with your details and respond to the selection criteria questions, which includes a video and resume submission. As part of your application, you need to confirm your availability for several mandatory sessions should you be shortlisted (see below program dates). Up to 50 students will then be invited to participate in the hackathon.

Phase 1: Hackathon (50 students)

This one-day hackathon will be hosted by Bupa. You will be grouped into teams of five who will work together to solve a real challenge on wellbeing and student support at UniSA, and pitch your solutions to senior leaders from Bupa and UniSA. Teams will have the opportunity to meet before the day and be briefed on their challenge. Judges will select three teams to move to the next phase, with students in the remaining teams receiving a $50 gift card each. 

Phase 2: Solution design (15 students)

Over a four-week period, the selected three teams will work together autonomously to create a prototype or concept of their chosen hackathon idea, with a facilitator available for guidance and support. Each team will virtually present their concept/prototype to senior leaders from Bupa and UniSA. The winning team will be awarded an internship with UniSA during the summer break, and the runners-up will receive a $100 gift card each.

Internship (5 students)

The winning team of up to five students will be offered a paid summer internship over a 10-week period with UniSA, for a total of 150 hours. The interns will work with UniSA to find ways to implement their solution within the University, as well as gain exposure to real workplace dynamics. At the end of the internship, students will automatically go into the Bupa talent pool for future roles that are suitable.

Eligibility

To be eligible to join this program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are currently enrolled at UniSA with good academic standing and are not at risk. (Please note: This information will NOT be shared with Bupa.)
  • You will only be graduating in or after April 2025.
  • You have the necessary work rights to partake in the internship at UniSA (if you are in the winning team). 

This program is open to both international and domestic students. If you're based in a regional area, travel support might be available if you are selected for the hackathon or if you are in the winning team. 

Key dates

The below information includes information sessions, applications and outcomes, program, and internship dates. 

Register for one of our final information sessions to learn more about the program.

  • Tuesday 13 August
    1:00pm – 1:30pm (ACST)
    Online
    Register now

  • Wednesday 14 August
    2:00pm – 2:30pm (ACST)
    Online
    Register now

Applications open: Monday 8 July

Applications close: Sunday 18 August

Application outcomes: Wednesday 21 August

Apply now

You will need to be available and commit to these dates if you are successful in being selected for the hackathon:

  • Hack information session:
    Wednesday 11 September, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (ACST), Online

  • Meet your team sessions:
    Group A: Monday 16 September, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (ACST), Online
    Group B: Monday 16 September, 2:00pm – 3:00pm (ACST), Online

  • Hackathon:
    Thursday 3 October, 7:45am – 6:00pm (ACST), City West campus

  • Solution design drop-in sessions: 
    Tuesday 8 October, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (ACST), Online
    Tuesday 29 October, 12:00pm – 1:00pm (ACST), Online

  • Final pitch for solution design: 
    Wednesday 6 November, 9:30am – 12:30pm (ACST), Online

25 November – 20 December 2024 AND 6 January – 14 February 2025

Program outcomes

By participating in this exciting opportunity, you will:

  • Develop a range of employability skills while working in a dynamic team.
  • Learn to develop a business case and pitch your ideas to real industry professionals.
  • Collaborate with students across degrees and disciplines from UniSA.
  • Gain a competitive advantage prior to graduating.
  • Be awarded with a part-time, paid 10-week internship with UniSA (if you are in the winning team), or a $50 or $100 gift card depending on how far you get in the challenge.
  • Have your participation be recognised as a UniSA+ Award activity.

How to apply

Fill out the application form through the link below. Applications close Sunday 18 August. If you have any questions or issues with your application, please contact sol.canepa@unisa.edu.au 

APPLY NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are selected for the hackathon, you will need to attend all the sessions listed on the program dates above. Once the group information is shared to you, you are encouraged to meet your teammates in person to build up your team bond. You will also need to find time to work with your team autonomously on the challenges. 

You need to be available for all the mandatory sessions as well as the internship period if you successfully progress to the final phase. You will need to confirm your availability for these dates as part of your application. 

Your team will be allocated a specific challenge prior to the hackathon. These challenges will focus on wellbeing and support for students at UniSA, for example:

  • How can students be effectively consulted on gender-based violence prevention and response for the University?
  • How can students be involved in the co-creation of mental health initiatives across the University?

This is up to you and you can discuss with your teammates on the best communication channel that suits your team.

If you’re based in the regional area, travel support might be available if you are selected for the hackathon or if you are in the winning team. Please contact sol.canepa@unisa.edu.au to discuss your options.

Anyone is encouraged to apply and there is no cost to participate.

If you are in the winning team, you will get a paid internship at UniSA for up to 150 hours across ten weeks. Other participants will receive either a $50 or $100 gift card depending on how far you get to in the challenge. 

This program does not count towards your course or program, but your participation can count towards the UniSA+ Award. If you’re selected for the hackathon, you can submit this as a leadership activity, and if you’re selected for the internship, you can also submit this as a self-development activity. For more information on the UniSA+ Award, visit unisa.edu.au/unisaplus

You will need to complete 150 hours of internship across ten weeks, and you will be based at City West or City East campus. There might be some flexibility in which days you are in the office, but you must start on the week of 25 November2024 and finish on the week of 10 February 2025. The specific days and hours will also depend on the availability of the rest of your team and the UniSA staff you will be working with.

Yes, as long as you have the necessary work rights as part of your student visa.