We’re thrilled to announce that Engineering for People, our global design challenge for university engineering students delivered in partnership with Engineers Without Borders South Africa, has been awarded Silver in the Sustainable Education Literacy category at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025.
Out of more than 1,600 applications, the programme was selected as one of the top entries, successfully progressing through four rigorous evaluation rounds judged by 1,300 international higher education and edtech experts. This recognition highlights the programme’s world-class innovation, measurable impact, and potential to scale internationally.
Since 2011, Engineering for People has empowered the next generation of globally responsible engineers at universities across Cameroon, Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. Today, the challenge reaches 1 in 4 engineering students in the UK, giving them the opportunity to think beyond the technical and consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their engineering decisions.
Delivered through a project-based learning approach, student teams tackle real-world design briefs informed by local community partners with past Challenges exploring engineering issues in Cambodia, India, Peru, Scotland, South Africa and, this year, Birmingham. By working collaboratively, students apply their creativity and technical knowledge to develop solutions that meet genuine community needs – helping them see how engineering can make a positive difference in the world.
The programme supports universities in meeting rising demands for sustainability skills, reflecting student expectations, employer needs, and the Engineering Council’s AHEP4 accreditation requirements. It is designed to fit seamlessly into existing curricula, with flexible delivery options ranging from short sprints to year-long projects.
91% of students believe that the design challenge has broadened their understanding of the importance of globally responsible engineering
Every year, the top student designs are reviewed by industry experts, with the best teams advancing to the Grand Finals to pitch their ideas to peers and leaders in the sector. Last year’s winning teams proposed solutions that turned hard-to-recycle plastic into modular bricks, addressing waste and affordable housing (University of Warwick); combined menstrual health education with circular economy principles (University of East Anglia); and enabled community-led water access and restoration (University of Sheffield).
The Silver award, issued by the QS Reimagine Education team, is a testament to the programme’s global impact and its role in shaping engineers who design with people, planet, and purpose in mind.
“Receiving Silver in the QS Reimagine Education Awards is an incredible acknowledgement of the work behind Engineering for People. The programme demonstrates how project-based, community-focused learning can give students the confidence, creativity, and skills to address pressing global challenges – preparing them not just to excel technically, but to design solutions that genuinely serve people and the planet.”
John Kraus, CEO
Looking ahead
Now in its fifteenth year, the Challenge has turned its focus to Ladywood, a neighbourhood in Birmingham, UK. Learn more about this year’s community partner – CIVIC SQUARE – below:
If your university is yet to sign up for the 2025/26 academic year, it’s not too late to get involved! Find out more and register your interest.
With thanks to our partners
