What’s happening?
Eleven standout students from Toowoomba and the wider Darling Downs/South-West region will spend the winter holidays at QUT’s Brisbane campuses for the 2025 Future You Summit. Running from 1 to 4 July, the event gives high schoolers a hands-on preview of university life through project-based learning and peer networking.
Participants settle into boarding accommodation at Somerville House on 30 June before launching into four days of immersive workshops and sessions led by QUT’s top researchers, undergraduate students, and visiting industry professionals.
Why it matters
The summit provides real-world exposure and confidence-building experiences for Year 11 and 12 students, particularly those from regional areas who may not have easy access to university campuses or mentors.
“This is the 13th year of the QUT Future You Summit,” said Professor Rowena Barrett. “It allows students to expand their skill sets beyond the classroom, explore future career ambitions with like-minded peers, and experience the QUT community.”
Local Impact
Toowoomba is one of seven communities contributing to the 11-student delegation from the Darling Downs/South-West, alongside Kingaroy, Miles, Nanango, Oakey, Goondiwindi and Warwick. Students will explore academic areas such as mechanical engineering, astrophysics, fashion design, and more.
Professor Barrett emphasised: “We fund the summit as part of QUT’s commitment to investing in Australia’s future by shaping confident, innovative and forward-thinking leaders.”
By the Numbers
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11 students from the Darling Downs/South-West among 341 selected participants
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165 schools represented across Queensland, Northern NSW and Norfolk Island
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69% of all participants are female
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105 current QUT first-years were once Future You attendees
Zoom In
Students receive a copy of Inspired Success by QUT alumnus Rashan Senanayake, a motivational guide to purpose and leadership. They’ll use it to reflect on their goals throughout the summit.
Zoom Out
The program has helped shape the journeys of hundreds of QUT students and future leaders since its inception 13 years ago.
What to Look For Next?
Toowoomba’s rising stars could soon be part of QUT’s next undergraduate cohort. “We get to see many of them again, once they finish high school,” Professor Barrett added.
