The Microsoft EDI Business Challenge is open to students from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage across all disciplines and levels of undergraduate study and saw 36 teams from universities across the UK take part.
The Brighton team, comprising students from the university’s School of Business and Law, focused on how innovative technology could help improve access to education for people and communities who have been displaced by war or natural disaster.
They presented an AI-interfaced mobile application that provides, among other things, tailored content such as language translation and lesson planning for 11 to 18-year-olds of all educational levels.
Team Brighton’s impressive showing earned them a win on their first appearance in the competition, sponsored by Microsoft Embrace. As a result, they are among ten teams from universities across the UK who have progressed to the semi-finals.
Members of the Brighton team are studying law, marketing, management and international business management courses at the university’s School of Business and Law, based at its Moulsecoomb campus.
Naomi Spence, who is studying Marketing Management BSc(Hons), said: “We were tasked with leveraging technology to aid a problem that displaced people face. Our team was successful in Round 1 and have secured a spot in the top 10 semi-finals where we will be going head-to-head with the likes of other universities such as Queen Mary, Surrey, Manchester and more. We are so excited and looking forward. Fingers crossed!”.
The team is being supported and mentored by Principal Lecturer Dr Hasan Gilani, who highlights: “The EDI challenge group from the School of Business and Law have shown their true commitment to the project and demonstrate great teamwork and emerging leadership skills.
“I would like to congratulate and commend them all on their achievement. Well done team. You make us proud. But the challenge continues, and you have our best wishes for the semi-finals and finals – Go, Team Brighton!” - he added.
Having emerged winners in the first round, Team Brighton will be competing in the semi-finals with another opportunity to display their problem-solving, teamwork and leadership qualities. The semi-final of the competition is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.
EDI Business Challenge team members (L-R), Nihinlola Efuwape, Naomi Spence and Pramadito Ibrahim, with Inclusive Practice Lead, Dr Hasan Gilani.