As part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s efforts to promote sustainability and green transformation within higher education institutions, the Supreme Council of Universities has approved the launch of the “University Waste Management” Competition under the energy conservation campaign “Save It… Light It Up.”

The competition is held under the patronage of Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, under the supervision of Dr. Karim Hammam, Advisor to the Minister for Student Activities and Director of the Leadership Preparation Institute, and in cooperation with the Innovators and Geniuses Support Fund, led by Dr. Tamer Hamouda, Executive Director of the Fund.

The competition aims to encourage university and institute students to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for waste management on campus. It supports projects based on modern technologies, recycling, engineering innovation, creative design, and green economic models, contributing to the creation of more sustainable and efficient university environments.

The competition features four main tracks: Smart Technologies, Engineering Innovation, Creative Design, and Green Economic Models. These tracks focus on leveraging advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, developing innovative waste collection and processing systems, designing awareness campaigns, and creating economically viable projects with positive environmental impacts.

The competition will proceed through several stages, including registration and idea submission, preliminary evaluation, full proposal development, prototype creation, and final judging and awards. The competition will run for three months, with evaluation criteria based on innovation, feasibility, quality of presentation, applicability, and environmental impact.

Dr. Tamer Hamouda emphasized that the competition represents a model of integration between innovation and sustainability, encouraging students to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges within Egyptian universities. Dr. Karim Hammam added that the initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to empowering students to actively contribute to green transformation and sustainable development efforts.

This competition highlights the Ministry’s dedication to fostering environmental awareness and sustainability within the academic community while strengthening the role of universities as centers of innovation, knowledge creation, and sustainable development in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.