More than 4,400 students from 150 countries have participated in this year’s Xylem Global Student Innovation Challenge, with teams from the Philippines and Algeria emerging as grand prize winners.
Xylem, a leading global water technology firm, has announced the winners of its 2024 Global Student Innovation Challenge. This annual competition invites high school and university students worldwide to develop solutions for pressing water-related issues.
The challenge this year focused on three critical areas: reducing ocean plastic waste, increasing awareness of sustainability and water conservation, and lowering indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through improved water purification methods.
Austin Alexander, Xylem’s Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact, highlighted the importance of fostering young talent in addressing global water challenges. “As global water issues intensify, providing a platform for the next generation of innovators is crucial. We are delighted with the solutions presented by this year’s winners. Their work promises to make a significant impact on the water sector in the coming years,” he said.
The grand prize for the high school category was awarded to “Team AGWE – God of Water: Be Empowered. Take Action.” from the Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science in the Philippines. This team developed an augmented reality tool aimed at inspiring action on water conservation through an immersive, experiential approach.
In the university category, “The Blue: Immersive Water Conservation Learning Experience” from the University of Boumerdes in Algeria won top honours. Their project presents a dynamic, gamified learning experience that covers various topics, from the benefits of rainwater harvesting to the importance of effective wastewater management.
The challenge, which saw nearly 260 teams working on their projects, was supported by volunteer mentors from Xylem and evaluated by a panel of judges from Xylem and EarthEcho International, a global nonprofit organisation.
The winning teams, announced during a virtual awards ceremony on June 20, will share a $20,000 prize pool. They will also have the opportunity to join the Xylem Ignite Innovation Incubator, where they will be paired with experienced mentors from the water industry and receive grants to further develop their solutions over a six-month period.
Now in its fourth year, the Global Student Innovation Challenge is part of Xylem Ignite, a global initiative aimed at building a network of passionate young leaders in the water sector. Since its inception in 2021, the programme has seen participation grow nearly sevenfold and the number of represented countries triple.
For more information on the challenge and to see the full list of winners, visit Xylem’s official website.