Australian University CQUniversity Australia has confirmed that it has joined the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs – Ashoka U.

Ashoka U, which seeks social change through education, innovation and entrepreneurialism, has announced CQUniversity Australia as the first university member in Australia.

The announcement comes following a rigorous two-year selection process that assessed CQUniversity’s social innovation credentials, plans and corporate values.

“We have never cared to be like the other universities – we have always sought social impact, altruism and civic contribution ahead of prestige and exclusivity,” CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor, Prof Scott Bowman said.

“We have always been engineers of profound social change. CQUniversity works with students from the poorest, most disadvantaged, most isolated backgrounds and equips them with both the education and philosophy needed to bring change to their communities.

“It is the sheer boldness and creativity of our approach to education that gives CQUniversity its identity, and it is simply extraordinary that we have captured the imagination of the Ashoka U network of Changemaker Campuses.”

Bowman said social innovation is about helping students to answer the question ‘How can I change the world?’

“The solution requires entrepreneurialism, innovation, creativity and audacity to do things differently,” Bowman said.

Ashoka U group Executive Director, Marina Kim said “The educational goals of students are changing and every student should get the chance to acquire skills necessary to make a difference in the world.”

Over the last five years, more than 25 colleges and universities from around the world have become Changemaker Campuses, including Brown, Duke, Dublin City University, Arizona State, the University of Maryland, and the Singapore Management University.