Calling all changemakers: Carleton students challenged to find solutions to global issues
A challenge has been issued to students across Carleton University – prepare a solution to address a pressing issue in the world – for the chance to win $10,000 in cash prizes and access to resources to help bring your solution to life.
The Innovation Hub at Carleton University is launching the first in a series of bi-monthly challenges, in partnership with CUSA’s Hatch and the Alterna Social Ventures Institute in the Sprott School of Business.
“We’re trying to create a culture shift at the university to really get students to think beyond their direct area of study,” said Harry Sharma, director of the Innovation Hub. “This challenge is a mechanism for the university to engage our students with larger global issues that have an impact on all of us.”
“This is also an opportunity for students not only to learn more about these issues but also to develop very specific tangible solutions – whether they be social solutions, or technological solutions, or policy-oriented solutions – and be a part of addressing them.”
The first challenge, Become a Changemaker, kicks off on Oct. 4 and will run until Dec. 10. Participants will have eight weeks to work in a team and develop a solution that addresses one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Registrations will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
“This challenge will allow students to utilize and demonstrate their collaboration skills, leadership skills and project management skills,” Harry said. “It’s a combination of thinking outside their classrooms, and the box, and partnering with students from other faculties to address a global issue.” – Harry Sharma, Carleton University’s Innovation Hub
Ideas can take the form of a product, service, digital app, a game, 3D models, constructive policy, pure academic research, or any other medium which can be tested and expanded upon, that provides a viable solution to a Sustainable Development Goal. The final submission is a video and a live pitch presentation in front of an expert review panel.
The Innovation Challenge series is open to all Carleton University students, and participants will have the opportunity to access the Innovation Hub’s resources, learn techniques to understand the issue at hand, work one-on-one with industry experts, connect and network with fellow students, and win cash prizes totaling $10,000.
“We look forward to welcoming students into the Innovation Hub’s ecosystem,” said Kirsten Josling, director of Hatch and Bachelor of International Business student. “And we cannot emphasize enough how this is the perfect opportunity for any student who is unsure of where to begin on their entrepreneurial journey, as all resources and funding will be provided.”