Media Advisory: Student teams to compete for $10,000 at Global Innovation Challenge

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Student teams will present their ideas this weekend for ways to improve sanitation needs for school-aged children in low- and middle-income locales around the world.

The pitch competition is part of the University at Buffalo’s inaugural “Global Innovation Challenge,” a hackathon-style event sponsored by UB’s Community for Global Health Equity. The student groups began working on their ideas Monday.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21

Where: Hayes Hall auditorium, UB South Campus

Who: Twenty-five UB students will present their ideas to a panel of judges. Audience members will be able to choose their favorite proposal through a “people’s choice” vote.

What: Global Innovation Challenge pitch sessions. Student teams will compete for up to $10,000 to further develop and test their ideas. Funding is being provided by the Healthy World Foundation and the Randwood Foundation. The pitch presentations will be followed by an awards ceremony and reception.

Why: To provide students the opportunity to develop social, economic, technological and public policy solutions to sanitation challenges faced by schoolchildren around the world.

On-site contact: Lisa Lenker, program coordinator, Community for Global Health Equity, 716-394-1473.