The Queensland Institute win Queensland Women in International Business, for innovation in education.

Sharing photos from the night, insight into the application process, and quotes we've been humbled to receive.

20 October 2022 I The Queensland Institute

*The QI team and 13 other winners across 13 national categories.*

The Queensland Institute team were thrilled to be invited to attend the 2022 Premier’s Export Awards earlier this month. We were even more excited on the night when our founders Philippa Coleman and Fiona Wiebusch won the Queensland Women in International Business Award.

The awards gala took place on 5th October at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane and were hosted by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick.

Philippa and Fiona were awarded with special mention for transforming private education and online professional development programs for teachers, and their contribution to Queensland’s $100B export industry.

They took to the stage with the winners across 13 national categories, including Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, named Queensland Exporter of the Year. It was especially meaningful to receive the award directly from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, surrounded by members of the QI training team, Ceara McManus, Vicki Bos, and Melika Stannard.

Since QI’s inception in December 2020, our mission to empower global educators has been brought to life by our amazing team, partners, and extended networks, who connect a global community of educators from Australia and overseas.

“At the height of the pandemic, Fiona and her co-Founder, Philippa Coleman, had the foresight to identify an opportunity that would evolve to benefit millions around the world.”
Cameron Dick, Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment.

Having grown significantly in our first couple of years, the QI team has been focused on delivering our core business – providing innovative, industry-leading training for global educators.

“Super amazed by The Queensland Institute Pty Ltd who rose from the Covid ELICOS ashes and in two short years have trained hundreds of teachers in Taiwan and won the Queensland Premier’s Export Award for Women in International Business!”
Patrick Hafenstein, Trade and Investment Commissioner - Taiwan at Trade and Investment Queensland

Mid-2022 provided an opportunity to think about what was next. With a strong start, industry recognition and thousands of happy educators, our sights were set on expanding our overseas partnerships.

We identified The Queensland Export Awards as an excellent opportunity to grow our exposure. With this aspiration in mind, we approached Focused Marketing for consultation on strategically approaching the award submission.

Throughout our engagement, we refined our brand messaging, revised our elevator pitch, and articulated our vision, overcoming the challenge of communicating our value and course offerings.

The application process was a unique and dedicated opportunity to reflect on our success over the last 18 months. The specific application criteria on marketing, business management, financials and international business planning and direction allowed us to renew our strategic plan.

Entering The Queensland Export Awards was an opportunity to look at our competitive offering with a critical eye.

“An awards application is an excellent way of making time to fine tune your brand language and articulate your achievements in a succinct and engaging manner. Working with Fiona and Philippa on their entry was the perfect opportunity to help them reflect on their evolution, enabling them to effectively communicate their innovative offering for global educators. Having an external perspective not only helps you find your words, it also helps you see how far you have come. Congratulations team QI!”
Caitlin Dillon – Marketing Director, Focused Marketing

*From left to right: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, QI founders Philippa Coleman and Fiona Wiebusch and QI senior training team Vicki Bos, Ceara McManus and Melika Stannard.*

Being recognised for innovation, our high-quality courses, and industry-leading team gave us invaluable recognition that will support our business development pursuits with new regions in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

“Queensland is fortunate to have a large and diverse number of women-led businesses making a positive impact globally. I look forward to watching the Queensland Institute team reach even greater successes.”
Bryony Hilless, Executive Director - Study Queensland at Trade + Investment Queensland

We are grateful for the support from colleagues in international education here in Australia and abroad.

“Congratulations Philippa, Fiona and team. I could not think of more deserving winners. You are consummate professionals in all your work and so creative and engaging too. Bravo!”
Sophie O’Keefe, Head of Professional Development - English Australia

Winning the award expanded our professional networks and was an opportunity for the entire QI team to reflect on our hard work, celebrate our success, and be proud that we are bringing our mission to empower global educators to life.

Watch the announcement LIVE!

The QI team take to the stage with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

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