This month, 43 students from across Europe gathered at the University of Twente (UT) to participate in the Humanitarian Engineering Challenge. Together, they worked to design technology-driven solutions that encourage sustainability, support vulnerable communities – and inspire real impact.
Students from 7 ECIU University member institutions attended University of Twente (Enschede, Netherlands) for a mobility week – an annual event that supports international exchange and mobility in the community.
The participants included students from University of Twente, Trento University, Hamburg University of Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Łódź University of Technology and University of Aveiro.
As part of the visit, they toured the Werkplaats OntwikkelingsTechnieken (WOT) to learn about sustainable projects and appropriate technologies developed on-site. The WOT team introduced the students to various ongoing initiatives and demonstrated how practical engineering can make a difference in resource-limited settings.
The main focus of the week, however, was the Humanitarian Engineering challenge in close cooperation with the Tumaini Innovation Centre in Kenya. The challenge encouraged students to design technology-driven solutions that improve community well-being.
The participants worked in small groups at UT’s DesignLab to address issues in vocational education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Through a human-centred design approach, students explored how technology can meet essential needs such as shelter, healthcare, and energy, while fostering inclusion, dignity, and resilience in marginalised communities.
Alongside the academic activities, the program also included social events to strengthen connections between participants. Students enjoyed a pizza night upon arrival, a game night, and informal evenings with drinks, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and international friendship.
The initiative not only highlighted the power of engineering in addressing global challenges but also underscored the importance of cross-cultural teamwork in shaping sustainable solutions for the future.
Author and photos: Uuniversity of Twente