Three students from The Indian Public School, Coimbatore, India were recently crowned winners of the Monash University Change It Challenge final in Melbourne. Srivatsav, Srinivas and Sriram won over judges with their presentation on the impacts of methane gases on rising temperatures. Their innovative solution involved using a biogas generator to turn cow dung into clean, renewable energy.
Anna, Michelle and Neyja from Taman Rama Intercultural School Bali finished in second place with their presentation on reducing, reusing and recycling to support the ecosystem of Bali’s Ocean. While as Aditya from International School Dhaka came third, whose innovative solution for the problem of water hyacinth involved turning the problem into an opportunity by using water hyacinth to create eco-friendly products like baskets and paper.
“The week was not just an opportunity to challenge ourselves, but a chance to meet other students from across the world who share our passion for making a difference,” said the team from Coimbatore. “We’ve embraced the cultures, friendships and inspiration that comes from being part of a global community. Being able to meet senior academics who care about education and their students will leave a lasting impression on us.”
The Change It Challenge aims to engage and inspire high school students to create meaningful change in the areas of climate change and thriving communities. Teams were encouraged to leverage education, research, innovation, and cultural transformation in their presentation to make a positive global impact.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice President, Professor Craig Jeffrey, said the Change it Challenge Grand Final was an opportunity for students to make a positive impact on the world. “The participation of students from across the globe reflects our dedication to international collaboration and the power of global ideas,” said Professor Jeffrey. “We believe that great ideas can emerge from anywhere. We are committed to providing opportunities for people around the world to share, develop, and bring their ideas to life.”
As part of their visit to Melbourne, the group of 12 students, accompanied by their school counsellors were able to partake in a week of activities that showcased the world class facilities of Monash University’s Clayton and Caulfield campuses and tour the vibrant city of Melbourne.
They also participated in an academic roundtable hosted by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Allie Clemans. Researchers from the Monash Assistive Technology and Society Centre as well as the Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre shared insights into Monash’s impactful research, the power of collaboration and how young people can drive change in their communities.
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