Free University of Sydney online courses on design thinking
The NSW Government is helping the University of Sydney deliver two free online courses to help businesses and entrepreneurs embrace innovation and grow through design thinking.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said the five week courses were a great upskilling opportunity and were funded by the Government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program.
“The Boosting Business Innovation Program is providing $18 million to the state’s 11 universities – including $1.5 million to University of Sydney – and the CSIRO to work with businesses to support innovation,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The Boost program is bringing great business and academic minds together to create new products and ideas to support innovation in our economy.”
The University of Sydney have opened the two ‘Massive Open Online Courses’ (MOOCs) to all members of the public. The courses have been developed by the university in consultation with business, including UBank and insurance risk company Swiss Re.
The first course, ‘Design strategy: Design thinking for business strategy and entrepreneurship’, is for entrepreneurial managers looking to bring design thinking into their corporate strategy.
The second course, ‘Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat’, will focus on how you can use design thinking for strategic and innovative advantage within your profession. Both courses are free but there will be a minimal fee to receive a certificate of completion.
The courses were launched at a free networking breakfast by the NSW Department of Industry’s Executive Director of Industry, Trade & Investment Kylie Bell, and University of Sydney Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Pip Pattison.
The breakfast included an expert panel discussion on the role of design in industry and innovation lead by Associate Professors Eric Knight and Martin Tomitsch from the University of Sydney and including representatives from technology company Atlassian and insurance risk company Swiss Re.
University of Sydney Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research – Enterprise & Engagement) Associate Professor Eric Knight said businesses were encouraged to take advantage of the courses.
“The partnership between the Department of Industry and University of Sydney through the Boost program has had a huge impact on our ability to leverage internal expertise to benefit small to medium sized businesses and enterprises more broadly. The Massive Open Online Courses, which we are proud to launch with the Department, are just one example.”
Register for the courses here.
