Study Group reveals inspiring results from the second Next Generation Innovations competition

In a year that saw the world open its doors even wider to global talent, Study Group’s Next Generation Innovations competition returned with a bold new reach. Open to students worldwide, this year attracted 110 ambitious applicants from 34 countries, underscoring a shared commitment to harnessing higher education for meaningful global impact. From a diverse field of finalists, eight remarkable students were selected for the finals, representing Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

This year’s winners exemplify the leadership and ingenuity shaping women in business and STEM today.

First prize: Hannah Mulindwa (Uganda) - Solar San

Hannah presented Solar San, an innovative initiative to upcycle grey water for use in communities across Uganda, addressing water scarcity and resource efficiency. Her project blends social entrepreneurship with sustainable engineering, aiming to reduce water stress while empowering local communities through practical, scalable solutions. 

Second prize: Alounmai Bounluetay (Laos) - GSS App

Alounmai introduced a perceptive app designed to strengthen the connection between universities, parents, and students. The platform promises to streamline communication, foster collaboration, and support student success by providing timely insights and preventing agency fraud for families across the world. 

Third prize: Ame Chakalisa (Botswana) - Solar Link

Ame proposed a community-scale solar hub to ensure educational access regardless of geographic location. Her model seeks to bridge energy gaps, enable reliable learning environments, and expand educational opportunities for students in underserved districts. 

The finalists’ proposals embraced a broad spectrum of disciplines, with many entrants exploring how education, technology, health, and community-driven business can converge to propel social progress. This year’s competition layout allowed any medium to capture ideas, with most finalists delivering compelling essays that showcased clarity, impact, and a concrete pathway to realized outcomes.

The virtual finale took place on 9 August, bringing together a panel of esteemed judges from Study Group - Dr Ali Behjou, Dr Fareg Aldbrez, Dr Mohamed Etarhouni, Jennifer Little, and Beth Tudball - along with a distinguished guest judge, Mr Matthijs Vandenbroek*.

*Mr Vandenbroek is a renowned keynote speaker on socio-economic trends and business developments in Asia, with a track record as a guest lecturer across universities in the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the United States. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Amsterdam School of International Business and holds roles with the International Business Research programmes at the University of Groningen, the Dutch Business Association Vietnam, and the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce. 

The inclusion of such a high-calibre guest judge added international perspective and a broader conversation about women’s leadership in business and STEM fields.

Successful outcomes for the competition this year reflect a broader mission: to ensure that top-tier academic opportunities are accessible to students worldwide and to celebrate the diverse pathways through which education can uplift communities. 

All three winners have accepted their university offers and secured scholarship prizes, with plans to commence studies this September. Commenting on the results, Study Group reiterated its excitement about the programme’s expansion. “Opening the competition to global participation reaffirmed our belief that true innovation emerges when young minds are given both the opportunity to shine and the challenge to solve real-world problems,” said Monica Dougherty, Associate Director at Study Group. “These winners embody the spirit of Next Generation Innovations - ambitious, dedicated, compassionate, and ready to turn their education into action. We are proud to support these remarkable women as they begin their journeys at leading partner universities in the United Kingdom.”