Universitas 21 (U21) announced UMD’s Roots Africa as a winner for “Most Innovative” in the international network’s first RISE Showcase and Awards.
RISE (Real Impact on Society & Environment) is a showcase of student achievement in sustainability and social innovation, based on challenges outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students from 16 U21 universities competed in the RISE Showcase, with prizes awarded to projects demonstrating the most impact, innovation and potential. Each winning team will receive a bespoke package of international exposure and access to a global network of experts, with a minimum value of $2,000 per team.
Each of U21’s member universities was invited to submit one project, led by a team of students or recent graduates. Each team then submitted a pitch video to a panel of social entrepreneurship and innovation expert judges, who selected the final winners. Roots Africa, led by recent UMD graduates Cedric Nwafor and Mandela Jones, tied with McMaster University’s Guided Hands as winners in the innovation category as one of four winners out of 16 projects submitted.
Read more from the Office of International Affairs.
