Overall IMNIS Value Proposition The aim of IMNIS is to develop a National mentoring program linking PhD students in STEM with qualified industry mentors who can provide advice and role models of industry based STEM careers. Overall we aim to narrow the cultural gap that exists in Australia between business and academia. The importance of IMNIS as an Industry - STEM PhD student mentoring program is its ability to enhance the skills of postgraduates to:

• develop a career in industry successfully translating research knowledge to commercial product or other end use application; and/or

• strengthen their academic research career through skills and capacity to build sustainable engagement linkages with relevant industry and promote translational research.

Outcomes expected will include: enhanced skills of PhD graduates to work within STEM based industry, promoting awareness about opportunities for research and innovation collaboration and instigating strong strategic linkages with industry. Value Proposition: The PhD Student (Mentee) You are a hard working science student developing in depth technical research knowledge in your PhD program. But there are things you just can’t learn at University. Many PhD graduates will work outside of academia - in industry and/or government, some for much of their life, yet most are relatively unprepared for this career transition. It can be daunting lo know how to put your skills and knowledge to commercial use, but the reality is for many, commercial technology has led to a vastly rewarding and fulfilling careers. Find the few hours to work with someone who can help you make the connections, someone who can introduce you to the rewards of not only being a great researcher but one who translate knowledge for the economic and social benefit of Australia.

• IMNIS is a mentoring program aimed at preparing STEM PhD students for better careers in industry/government, as well as enhancing research translation skills and networks for careers academics.

• IMNIS will alert you to the many factors that can make a PhD graduate a

successful entrepreneur, contributor, and industry leader.

• Your industry mentor is a an established industry based professional, entrepreneur and/or product developer with a personal interest in helping you gain awareness and knowledge of the skills required for successful commercial, engagement and leadership skills outside of academia.

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IMNIS will allow you to:

-­‐ Complete your professional development and be ready for a bright future -­‐ Expand your options outside the academic field -­‐ Learn what matters outside the academic field

Value Proposition: The Industry Mentor Being an IMNIS mentor is your chances to connect with a new generation of STEM PhD graduates and make a real difference to their success in commercial science. Australia is lagging the world in applying technology, and the gulf between University and industry is wider here than almost anywhere in the OECD, with disastrous implications for our long term future. Without your help change will be difficult, but with your help we can lift ourselves out of the cultural divide, and see a new generation of commercially literate graduates, who understand it’s not always just the science that counts. By becoming a mentor you will impart your experience to a new generation, gaining the personal satisfaction of seeing your mentee gain new insights into the career opportunities STEM has to offer.

• IMNIS is a mentoring program aimed at preparing STEM PhD students for better careers in industry/government, and also enhancing skills for careers in academia including industry engagement for research translation.

• Work with your student and provide the insight to the skills and personal

qualities needed to take a PhD graduate to a successful entrepreneur, contributor, and industry leader.

• Your IMNIS mentoring is a volunteer activity, a personal development and

interaction direct from you, and not your company or employer.

IMNIS will allow you to:

-­‐ Giving back to Australian science and research -­‐ Contribute to the development of a new generation of industry-ready PhD

graduates -­‐ Provide a head start to a young person by sharing your hard won knowledge

and skills.