Engineers Without Borders UK has launched the 2024/25 cycle of its award-winning Engineering for People Design Challenge in partnership with Engineers Without Borders South Africa and Makers Valley Partnership.
Now entering its 14th year, the design challenge has reached more than 87,000 students across 47 universities in five countries, and continues to grow its international reach. The 2024/25 challenge will be delivered to more than 40 institutions in Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA, with universities still able to sign up for this year’s programme.
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This year’s challenge centres around Makers Valley, a cluster of vibrant yet economically disadvantaged suburbs on the eastern edge of Johannesburg. Home to around 46,000 residents, Makers Valley has experienced urban decay and high unemployment, but recent years have seen a wave of regeneration driven by social and creative enterprises. The design challenge invites students to develop engineering solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of this dynamic community.
Among the challenge areas that solutions can address are the general built environment, food security, reliable access to energy, waste reduction and recycling, the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation and mobility and access to transport infrastructure.
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Through a combination of design briefs, video interviews and an interactive map, participants will engage directly with local residents, incorporating community insights into their projects. The top five submissions from each university will advance to the national stage, where they will be assessed by industry professionals. The most outstanding teams will then compete at the grand finals, where educational bursaries will be awarded for the Grand Prize, Runner-Up Prize and People’s Prize.
‘We hope for a city that is safe and secure for all, where the voiceless are heard, where the environment is cared for and where there are opportunities for thriving, not just surviving,’ said Noluthando Mdayi, co-CEO of Makers Valley Partnership. ‘[These] innovative ideas and engineering skills can make a lasting impact, helping to shape a future where everyone in Makers Valley can thrive.’
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‘We are eager to see this design challenge continue to explore impactful solutions for communities and equip students with the critical skills they need to tackle global, real-world challenges,’ said Tom Whitehead, programme manager at Engineers Without Borders UK.
Universities interested in joining this year’s programme can still register. For more information on how to participate, visit www.engineering-for-people.org.