At Engineers Without Borders UK, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2024/25 cycle of the award-winning Engineering for People Design Challenge.
Now entering its fourteenth year, the challenge has reached over 87,000 students across five countries, equipping the next generation of engineers with the skills and mindset to address real-world issues through globally responsible design. In partnership with Engineers Without Borders South Africa and Makers Valley Partnership, this year’s challenge brings another exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference.
“It broadened my horizons and gave me an insight into some of the interesting challenges that communities face around the world, and it required me to think outside the box to create solutions for these unique situations.”
Past participant at the Ulster University
Learn more about the impact of the challenge through our recently launched Impact Report!
The Engineering for People Design Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s part of a larger movement to put global responsibility at the heart of engineering. Over the past 14 years, we’ve worked with students from 47 universities, encouraging them to think beyond the classroom and engage with complex societal and environmental challenges. This year, over 40 institutions across Ireland, South Africa, the UK, and the USA will be participating – and there’s still time for more to join!
The 2024/25 challenge invites students to turn their focus to Makers Valley, a vibrant but economically disadvantaged area on the eastern edge of Johannesburg. Home to around 46,000 people, Makers Valley is a community rich in culture and creativity, but also grappling with urban decay and high unemployment. Through this design challenge, students will have the opportunity to develop sustainable engineering solutions that can support the area’s ongoing regeneration.
Learning from the community
One of the central aspects of the challenge is the direct engagement with the people living in the local area – Makers Valley. Students won’t be designing in isolation – they will hear directly from community members through video interviews and an interactive map, allowing local voices to shape their projects. By placing the community’s needs and insights at the heart of the design process, students will experience first-hand the power of human-centered design.
Whether it’s designing solutions to address water shortages, developing green energy initiatives, or improving public spaces, students will have the chance to apply their creativity and technical knowledge to real-world issues. Noluthando Mdayi, Co-CEO of Makers Valley Partnership, shared:
“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. [These] innovative ideas and engineering skills can make a lasting impact, helping to shape a future where everyone in Makers Valley can thrive.”
The competition
As part of the challenge, the top five projects from each university will be assessed by industry volunteers. The best submissions will then move on to the Grand Finals, where teams from all participating universities will compete for the prestigious Grand Prize of an educational bursary.
Students will also have the opportunity to win the People’s Prize, awarded through public voting, and the Runner-Up Prize — both of which also come with educational bursaries to support the students’ learning and growth. The Grand Finals are a celebration of innovation, teamwork, and the positive impact that engineering can have on communities.
Transforming engineering education
Since its inception, the Engineering for People Design Challenge has aimed to reimagine how engineering is taught and practised. By exposing students to real-world challenges and encouraging them to think critically about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their work, we are helping to create a new generation of engineers equipped to tackle the global challenges of the 21st century.
For universities and students, the challenge offers a unique opportunity to explore real-world issues while gaining invaluable skills in sustainable design and collaborative problem-solving. It’s more than just a competition – it’s a stepping stone to building a more globally responsible future.
If your university hasn’t signed up yet, it’s not too late to get involved! Join us in making a difference – learn more and register your interest!
With thanks to our partners
