A Griffith University team has won the Enactus National Championships 2025 and qualified to represent Australia at the prestigious Enactus World Cup 2025.
The win marks the first time a Griffith Enactus team has reached the World Cup, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The international event will bring together student teams from 35 countries to present innovative projects which tackle pressing social and environmental challenges.
Griffith’s winning initiative, Cook and Connect, addresses food insecurity, issues of loneliness, and unhealthy habits among university students.
Enactus President and Griffith Sciences School student Claire Jukes said the initiative is about building community and confidence.
“This is a scalable, community-driven initiative that enhances wellbeing through food, friendship, and education,” Ms Jukes said.
“We’re proud to represent Australia at the World Cup and showcase how student-led initiatives can make a real impact.”
Through hands-on cooking workshops, nutrition education, and shared meals, the Cook and Connect program empowers students to cook healthy, affordable meals while building budgeting skills and meaningful friendships.
The pilot program is now expanding across Griffith campuses, with plans to reach other universities and young adults through a partnership with the Northern Gold Coast Rotaract Club.
Named most outstanding faculty advisor at the 2025 championship event, Student Academy of Excellence Manager Kim Holmes mentored the Griffith Enactus team.
“Griffith’s success among such strong national competition underscores the significance of their achievement and the impact of their work,” Ms Holmes said.
“Congratulations to the team on this outstanding accomplishment!
“I look forward to seeing them showcase their impact-driven innovation on the world stage.”
Enactus is a global nonprofit that connects university students, academic leaders, and business professionals to develop projects that address real-world challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Congratulations to Student Academy of Excellence students: Claire Jukes, Shanna Heath, Megan Leafe, Caitlin Brims, Tori Gaellegos, Nimansa Samaraweera, Natalia Drazek, Terri Botha, Ashley Leatch, Fletcher Day.
