Why Sydney Should Be your go-to destination for Learning the Nuances of Entrepreneurship The city is home to some world-class universities, vocational institutions and research organizations

A decade ago, when students pondered over which foreign universities to apply for, a handful of US and UK-based institutes came to mind. While Australia was on the list for many students from the East, particularly Asia, others may have shied away. But owing to the rapid and holistic development that the country's economy has seen, especially in sectors like finance, insurance and real estate, the higher education offerings by universities based here have become truly world-class.

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is one such prestigious institution that attracts students from all over the world, contributing in making Sydney the preferred global destination for academics.

Why Choose Sydney

Sydney, in particular has become the gateway city to explore options for higher education. The city is home to some world-class universities, vocational institutions and research organizations. These institutions deliver cutting-edge, industry-relevant education, and launch both domestic and international students into careers of their choice. Anubhav Jain, Co-founder of Gurgaon-based GoDoctor, an alumnus of UTS believes that the skills he learned at UTS, such as how to communicate and work in a team, underpinned the theoretical and practical IT work and have helped him throughout his career. Having been one of the youngest to enrol in the course, Jain advises fellow entrepreneurs, "It's really important to push yourself. If you're just comfortable with what you're doing then you won't really identify your true self, or how much you can take on."

Anubhav Jain, UTS Alumnus and co-founder of Gurgaon-based GoDoctor

The gradual shift of the Australian economy from what used to be a traditionally mining-heavy bastion, into service sectors like banking and insurance, has seen growth of job opportunities based out of Sydney. The tech industry in Sydney too has been growing leaps and bounds. Over 70% of Sydney's creative, technology and digital industries are based in the same precinct as UTS. Making it the entrepreneur capital of Australia! This, along with the right industry exposure, makes Sydney a sought-after destination by the student community. Moreover, global bigwigs like Macquarie, Fairfax, QBE, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, and more are headquartered in the city.

The Right Space for Budding Entrepreneurs

Given that its rich home-grown resources are catching the eye of international markets, Sydney has become a preferred destination for entrepreneurs to set up base. The startup culture here fosters an ideal space for budding entrepreneurs who look to start their own ventures as early as when in college. Not just that, the local government too is rolling out initiatives that will further boost the start-up ecosystem. According to reports, under the New South Wales government's AUD$35 million plan to build a 17,000 square metre start-up hub, and 2,500 entrepreneurs will also receive Sydney CBD desks at subsidised rates.

The famous UTS Dr Chau Chak Wing Building aka The UTS Business School Building

To help these young professionals achieve their dream, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers courses tailored to their specific needs. One of Australia's most dynamic universities, UTS, is helping students tap into opportunities in leading global industries and research networks, and develop skills that get them 'work ready' even before graduation.

Since her graduation, Deepali Dabral, a Bachelor of Public Communication alumni who majored in advertising and was part of the university's internship program, has worked with brands like McDonald's, Volkswagen, VISA, FedEx, Virgin, Toshiba and Mitsubishi in a period of 12 years. She's now co-founder of dsgnlb, an illustration, animation and design studio that's creating marketing assets for not-for-profits across Asia.

Sharing advice from her experience in the industry, she said, "Don't worry if you've spent 10 years studying a particular thing or working in a particular industry, and then you want to start your career in something else entirely. You can be really happy doing lots of different things as so many skills are transferrable."

Deepali Dabral, UTS Alumna and co-founder of dsgnlb

UTS's world-class billion-dollar campus offers young entrepreneurs the right environment to build innovative business models with the help of its one-of-a-kind tech-enabled infrastructure. Along with software-driven innovations, UTS allows students to ideate in the hardware and scientific start-up arena with its interactive data visualisation facility, bio-tech green hub, and even a magic lab to test out latest technology, like in robotics.

Although, to build a successful venture, just the right idea is not enough. Giving it a working business model is as crucial. To help achieve that, the university offers innovative courses, such as the new Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation degree, Bachelor of Technology and Innovation, and even a degree in Digital and Social Media. These options may seem relatively new, but have been designed as a direct response to the demand of a changing business landscape.

With its policy of encouraging industry exposure, UTS has also sought mentorship for its students from renowned business leaders - like Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, who is an Adjunct Professor with the Engineering and IT faculty. The university similarly has partnerships with top startups, like Fishburners (Australia's largest start up community), to help foster future leaders and entrepreneurs. It also encourages its alumni to revisit and talk about their real-world experience, and how UTS was crucial in paving the way for them.

If you think outside the box, and see yourself among the leaders of tomorrow, look no further than UTS. Ranked as the #1 young university in Australia, its motto is to bring out the innovator and inventor in each student, and give them the right platform to showcase their potential.

So are you ready to live out your full potential? You can find out more about UTS and other entrepreneurial alumni stories here.