In an era where collaborative innovation is the linchpin of progress, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Mindhive have renewed their partnership, reinforcing their commitment to empowering potential, diversifying communities, and transforming society.

This renewal heralds another chapter in a symbiotic relationship that leverages collective intelligence to forge pathways in education and industry.

Early years

Reflecting on the earlier partnership work between QUT and Mindhive since it's clear that the synergy between the two has been a catalyst for innovation and practical achievement. In the 2021-2022 phase, this collaboration yielded significant strides in research with QUT academics and students pioneering in areas such as insight tokenism, wildcard algorithms, and the creation of a world-first research survey tool.

The teaching and learning landscape was similarly enhanced, with Professor Gayle Kerr and her colleagues reaching out to industry patterns to address critical questions for graduate students, culminating in active discussions and presentations across semesters. Moreover, Mindhive's internship offerings translated into real-world employability, with students like Duy, John, Travis, Ollie, Aidan, and Eliza gaining invaluable work experience and, for many, employment post-internship.

The partnership also made its mark on the industry impact front. Collaborative efforts between QUT and Mindhive provided fresh insights for the Queensland Building Construction Commission Governance review, involving over a hundred voices in a groundbreaking application of collective intelligence.

In teaching and learning, the partnership resulted in six student internships, four full-time employments, six engaging Mindhive discussions, and the delivery of a comprehensive lecture course, further solidifying Mindhive's role as an integral educational tool.

Furthermore, the partnership directly contributed to industry and impact outcomes, generating a 300%+ return on Mindhive's annual subscription. The innovative use of the platform by capstone students in their industry-linked projects under the guidance of Professor Amanda Gudmundsson and the introduction to the QBCC partnership are testaments to the tangible benefits of this alliance.

The Mindhive and QUT partnership broke new ground, exploring the limits of what can be achieved through a dynamic fusion of academia and cutting-edge technology.

The 2022-2023 year

The 2022-2023 QUT-Mindhive alliance, a testament to the power of collaborative problem-solving, has propelled the number of active users from 467 to an anticipated 1000 for 2023-2024. This partnership is a beacon of academic and practical inquiry, where QUT taps into a global pool of experts, harnessing Mindhive's platform to address complex challenges.

Nicola Bartlett, IT Industry Liaison at QUT, "Our students have benefitted immensely from the Mindhive partnership, gaining not just knowledge but also a platform to showcase their talents to the industry."

The previous year has been a triumph of shared successes. QUT academics and students have left a significant imprint on the academic world, leading and contributing to a research paper published in a special issue on Step Change in Marketing Communication Education in the Journal of Marketing Communications. QUT students also took on the challenge of researching and developing a wildcard algorithm and crafting a pioneering research survey tool, marking the beginning of a series of future innovations.

In teaching and learning, Professor Gayle Kerr harnessed the "From Student to Industry" Mindhive project to delve into the nuances of face-to-face interaction in the digital age. Her work underscored the importance of real-world connections, offering QUT students a window into the industry's heartbeat.

The partnership has been equally influential in fostering employability. Mindhive has not only offered internships to QUT students but has also absorbed talents like Gauresh Suresh Bamane, Imran Ahmed, Jae Hyun Kim, Karl Withers, and Kshitij Saxena into its fold. The collaboration with BDO has unveiled a platform capstone students utilise in their industry-linked projects, equipping them with hands-on experience in problem-solving and industry engagement.

Looking ahead, the partnership is set to deepen its roots in innovation. Mindhive will work closely with QUT postgraduate students to enhance the platform's capabilities, including advanced AI algorithms for user matchmaking, insight generation, and uncertainty calculations. This initiative aims to refine the technological backbone of the partnership, ensuring that the synergy between QUT and Mindhive remains at the cutting edge.

Mindhive's recent advancements include an enhanced keyword extraction feature for automatic insight generation and a prototype model for assessing uncertainty in user responses. These developments are crucial in navigating the complexities of subjective interpretation and the nuances of binary questions, often influenced by cognitive biases such as the Dunning-Kruger effect.

"Mindhive's commitment to fostering an environment of growth and learning for our students has been exceptional," adds Dr Bhargavi Goswani, a research leader at QUT.

Furthermore, an automatic sentiment analysis module now integrates into Mindhive's system, providing a nuanced 4-pointed radar diagram of user sentiments. This tool will be invaluable in gauging the pulse of discussions within the platform.

Reflecting on the past year's achievements, Nicola Bartlett, IT Industry Liaison at QUT, states, "Our students have benefitted immensely from the Mindhive partnership, gaining not just knowledge but also a platform to showcase their talents to the industry."

"Mindhive's commitment to fostering an environment of growth and learning for our students has been exceptional," adds Dr Bhargavi Goswani, a research leader at QUT.

The road forward is paved with ambitious plans. Mindhive is set to launch Mindhive Earth, an event inviting QUT members to explore environmental challenges. The partnership also contemplates the possibility of an international hackathon, broadening the scope of collective intelligence beyond local boundaries.

QUT’s academic community, led by individuals like Professor Gayle Kerr, will continue incorporating Mindhive into their courses, ensuring that the platform remains an integral part of the learning experience.

As Mindhive extends its footprint within the Queensland University of Technology, the strategy for scaling is multifaceted and purpose-driven, focusing on embedding Mindhive’s platform into the fabric of QUT’s academic and research ecosystem. Central to this strategy is implementing a robust advocacy program, identifying and nurturing 'Mindhive Champions' within QUT’s diverse faculties. These champions will serve as pivotal nodes, spreading awareness and facilitating the adoption of Mindhive’s platform across various departments. Complementing this grassroots approach, the plan includes a series of targeted workshops and training sessions aimed at showcasing the practical benefits of the platform, tailored to resonate with the specific needs of different academic disciplines.

To harness the power of data, a real-time analytics dashboard will be introduced, providing tangible insights into engagement levels, idea generation, and the resultant impact, thereby illustrating the real-world value of the Mindhive-QUT partnership. This transparency in outcomes will not only foster trust but also stimulate organic growth as more stakeholders recognise the platform's potential.

This enduring partnership owes its success to the vibrant community at QUT, including academic stalwarts, forward-thinking researchers, and the dynamic student body.

Moreover, the strategy embraces a community building approach, progressively deepening integration with QUT’s systems and workflows. Initiatives like the integration of Mindhive into QUT's intranet and regular newsletters will ensure that Mindhive becomes a natural part of the daily conversation. The integration will be complemented by a continuous feedback loop, incorporating suggestions from the QUT community to refine and evolve the platform.

Finally, the strategy seeks to magnify Mindhive's presence through thought leadership and co-branded events, reinforcing its position as an innovation catalyst. By aligning with QUT's strategic goals of fostering a culture of innovation, Mindhive aims to become an indispensable tool for collaborative problem-solving and decision-making within QUT, scaling its impact on academic and administrative fronts.

As the Mindhive-QUT partnership ventures into another year, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when technology meets academic fervor. With the commitment to diversify the community and transform society, this collaboration continues to embody the spirit of innovation, setting the stage for another year of remarkable achievements and a future that promises to break new ground in the education landscape and beyond.

Together with Mindhive, QUT is poised to continue its journey of exploration, discovery, and innovation, carving out new opportunities for growth and learning.

This enduring partnership owes its success to the vibrant community at QUT, including academic stalwarts, forward-thinking researchers, and the dynamic student body. Together with Mindhive, QUT is poised to continue its journey of exploration, discovery, and innovation, carving out new opportunities for growth and learning.

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