The University of Connecticut’s Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is hosting the Experience Innovation Expo, an event bringing together a number of UConn communities with an emphasis on innovation, socialization and exploration of new opportunities, on Oct. 21 from 12 to 3 p.m. in room 304 of the Student Union.
Students can expect to discover programs, projects and experiences that will mold their career experiences and interests.
There will be many partners and clubs featured at the Experience Innovation Expo. Among these partners include AI in Healthcare, CEO Club, Connect.AI, Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, CT Small Business Development Center, Entrepreneurship in Food and Agriculture, Formula SAE, HackUConn, UConn Honors Program, Innovate Labs, UConn Innovation Zone’s Students As Makers Program, UConn Intellectual Property Law Clinic, Technology Incubation Program/Technology Commercialization Services and Werth Innovators.
The featured partners of this Experience Innovation Expo say they are committed to collaboration, entrepreneurship and a passionate engagement with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and applying them to healthcare, business development and law services.
The Day of Discovery event includes a guide which provides some questions and conversation starters for students hoping to interact with featured partners. Undergraduate students are encouraged to use these resources to build awareness of the mission of featured partners and clubs.
Kathy Rocha, the associate director of the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, provides some perspectives for students interested in attending the Experience Innovation Fair. Rocha mentions how this opportunity exists for students who might have interests or ideas, but they are unsure of where to start exploring them further.
“The Expo on Oct. 21 is an opportunity to discover programs and resources that can help them move forward, whether they’re exploring a new interest, shaping an idea or bringing a project to life,” Rocha said “Students can connect with peers who share their interests, practice their networking skills and find inspiration for their next step. We’re excited to help students discover what’s possible and how to get started.”
The team facilitating the Expo expressed accessibility and curiosity as their guiding values. The Expo is a student-planned and student-led event, with the team including students involved in various projects and disciplines. Laura Park, the student lead for the Werth Institute Event Management Team, explained how the Experience Innovation Expo came to be.
“We are a team of six students across disciplines (from business to engineering) and years (sophomores through seniors) who have dedicated their time and ideas to putting on the event,” Park said. “Our goal is to make the event accessible and welcoming to students wherever they are in their undergraduate career. The Experience Innovation Expo is created by students for students.”