Innovation in action - Barloworld in 3D at Enactus

Future leaders in innovation will meet this week at the Enactus World Cup, a global initiative that ignites entrepreneurial action and shared innovation with a purpose among students, business and academic leaders from across the globe.

Event sponsors are also, for the first time, showcasing their commitment to innovation in support of the students and communities around the world.

A group of bright young minds from the University of Zululand are South Africa's participating finalists at this year's global event, which takes place from 14 to 16 October in Johannesburg. This is the first time the Enactus World Cup is being staged on the African continent, with students pouring in from universities around the world.

The competition requires students to present the results of ideas they have turned into action through community empowerment projects aimed at tackling socio-economic challenges.

A new feature at this year's event will be innovation stations, where the event sponsors will showcase the innovative approaches they are taking to solve real world problems through entrepreneurial action.

Barloworld, a distributor of leading global brands and one of the sponsors, will introduce students and visitors to a digital custom-built application that will open up the innovative world of Barloworld in an engaging 3D experience that takes you on a journey. The Google Cardboard is an ingenious do-it-yourself product, which uses folded cardboard to turn an ordinary smartphone into a 3D virtual reality headset.

The application will give visitors a 'virtual reality' experience, showing them the innovation behind Barloworld's Power, Equipment, Handling and Agriculture, Logistics and Corporate businesses.

Barloworld's Chief Executive, Clive Thomson, who was one of the judges in the Enactus South Africa National competition, said he was extremely impressed by the youth leadership, passion, creativity and talent on display.

"I would like to congratulate the youth leaders from around the world for winning their national competitions and earning their spot in the Enactus World Cup in South Africa. I have seen the impressive ideas and projects emerging from this talented pool of young leaders, and I am excited about the growth of innovation in our country and globally.

"Through programmes such as the Enactus World Cup, I am convinced that by working together and using these great ideas, we can solve the challenges facing our world today and in the future," said Thomson.