The City of Moreton Bay business community is being encouraged to get behind the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), after its free business short courses were named finalists in a national award.
The Queensland Government-funded program, which has helped more than 2000 small and family businesses across the state, is in the running for the Community Champion category at the 2026 Shaping Australia Awards.
With People’s Choice voting now open, local business owners and residents have an opportunity to show their support for the university, which has a campus at Petrie.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett encouraged Queenslanders to support the initiative, which helps business owners develop practical skills in areas including artificial intelligence, business planning, resilience and workforce development.
“Our business short courses are a strong example of how a university can recognise a need in the community and can mobilise its expertise to deliver support where it’s needed most in a flexible and accessible way,” Professor Bartlett said.
Designed around the demands of running a small business, the courses offer flexible online and face-to-face learning options, allowing owners and their staff to build skills while managing their day-to-day operations.
The courses have already been delivered in person on the Sunshine Coast and in Cairns, with Ipswich and other locations expected to follow.
UniSC Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead Dr Wayne Graham said the changing business landscape was driving demand for practical learning opportunities, with participants also benefiting from connections with other business owners facing similar challenges.
“We’ve co-designed the courses with industry experts to ensure the content across all of the courses equip business owners and their staff with skills they can use immediately and build on into the future.”
The Shaping Australia Awards recognise the contribution universities make through teaching, research and community engagement, with a People’s Choice Award to be presented in each of the three categories.
Voting opened on November 4 and closes on January 19, 2027, ahead of the awards ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on February 24.
Want to support UniSC? Cast your vote in the 2026 Shaping Australia People’s Choice Awards before January 19.
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