Two design solutions submitted by Imperial Horizons students have qualified for the Engineers Without Borders Challenge Finals on June 20th.

The competition calls for the design of ‘real, inspiring, sustainable cross-cultural development projects’ and this year the challenge was set in Bambui, Cameroon. The remit demands students think beyond discrete technical issues and proposals are assessed for their consideration of social, environmental and economic context and suitability for the local community.     

The selected Imperial teams have been studying on the Second Year ‘Design for Sustainable Development’ stream in the Global Challenges field, tutored by Michael Hughes. Claudia Caravello, Christopher Parsonson, Jonathan Risley and Liana Spyropoulou’s comprise one team. Their design for a ‘Biodigester and Biobox Scheme’ serves the dual function of waste disposal and the production of methane gas. In addition to providing a full design specification, the team submitted an animation to assist with the implementation of the project.

Jaime Fernandez de Santaella, Joshua Sebastian, Ines Ullmo and Kutlo Popo’s design was also selected. Their proposal for a ‘Healthy Public Toilet’ in the farmers’ market of Bambui would provide an accessible, private and hygienic facility. Their report identified the importance of the farmers’ market to the local community and the need for such a facility there. The team also included a short film promoting their design solution, using Computer Aided Design software for its visualisation.

The Global Challenges team are very pleased that Imperial College have been awarded two places at the UK National Finals Day, particularly because Engineers Without Borders usually limit each university to one team. 

This year the Finals event will be held in London on Monday 20th June and teams will be assessed by a panel of experts. On the day the students will present a poster, answer questions from the experts and, in the final round, give a presentation. 

We wish the students all the best for June 20^th and congratulate them on being selected!