IT’S that time of the year again, when the youth of Durban put on their thinking caps and put their best foot forward for the Youth Innovation Challenge, hosted by Innovate Durban, an NPC set up by the eThekwini Municipality.
The Youth Innovation Challenge Roadshows took place recently at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College, Westville campuses, and the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
After the immense success of last year’s Challenge which saw more than 50 participants battle head-to-head for coveted prizes which included internships at top global companies, this year’s Challenge will focus on the transport industry, specifically the developing Integrated Rapid Transport Network (IRPTN).
Since its inception in 2014, the annual competition has been an incubator for thought-provoking ideas and strategies, as a forefront to transforming the city into being the innovation hub of the country. It creates a platform for innovation to thrive in the city by empowering the citizens, particularly the youth, to become innovative in their communities and in business.
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Heading the programme, Innovate Durban’s Programme Lead, Amy Benn said that the objective of the Youth Innovation Challenge this year is to give the young adults of Durban and surrounding areas an opportunity and a platform to come up with practical innovative solutions to potential problems and find compelling value propositions for new businesses surrounding the project.
“Passengers are the backbone of the IRPTN and their needs are critical in the seamless integration and rollout of the IRPTN. Therefore, the aim of the Challenge is to equip youth with the skills to develop integrated solutions in response to potential challenges and opportunities of the IRPTN through design thinking workshops and innovation interventions.”
The workshops will be based on design thinking, industry exposure, technical solution development, business plan development, and pitching opportunities to help the participants shape their concepts with more tools.
To get involved, contact Buhle Ngcobo on 087 365 3131 or email:info@innovate.durban. Visit: www.innovate.durban.
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