The winning team at the 2024 SDG Challenge.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) students have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the Students Doing Good (SDG) Challenge 2024, held at Murdoch University on 30 August.
Four out of the six members of this year's winning team were School of Business and Law students, marking a significant accomplishment for the School.
The SDG Challenge is a local initiative designed to engage students in creating projects that drive positive change in their communities. Teams are tasked with developing solutions aligned with the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on practical, impactful actions. This year, participants were challenged to develop innovative ideas that contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for the City of Fremantle.
Students Dasuni Anushika Kothalawala, Gemma Henry, Hashani Alwis, and Mansi Suthar formed part of the winning team. Their project, Green is In focused on biodiversity and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. The project explored innovative solutions to address pressing environmental issues in the City of Fremantle.
The team were supported throughout the challenge by the guidance of an academic mentor, Dr Dilhani Kapu Arachchilage, Senior Lecturer at ECU's School of Business and Law. They also received industry mentorship from Glenton Moses, an environmental scientist from Pilbara Minerals Ltd., ensuring their project had real-world impact and relevance.
In recognition of their success, the team has been invited to attend the United Nations Association of Australia Western Australia (UNAAWA)'s United Nations Day Gala Dinner in October, where they will showcase their work on a broader stage.
ECU's School of Business and Law Executive Dean, Professor Maryam Omari, expressed immense pride in the students' achievement.
"This is a remarkable testament to the talent and dedication of our students. Their commitment to addressing global challenges like climate action is truly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing their continued contributions as they represent our School and University at the upcoming UN event," Professor Omari said.
Next year, ECU's School of Business and Law will have the honour of hosting the SDG Challenge, further cementing the institution's role in promoting sustainability and innovation among its students.
