The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (TUIASI), as a partner in the European INGENIUM Alliance, organized the first edition of the Ingenious Ideas competition – The freedom to explore your potential, an initiative aimed at fostering creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking among students.
The competition was officially launched on November 22, 2024, during a meeting with TUIASI students who registered in the INGENIOUS MINDS group.
The Ingenious Ideas competition was more than just a challenge. It was a unique opportunity for students to prove that their ideas can make a real positive impact, both on the university community and society.
Participants were invited to contribute in four key areas plus an additional theme:
- Entrepreneurship
- “Sustainable Start-up for the Future” – innovative business models addressing major global challenges such as waste management, renewable energy, or sustainable urban mobility.
- “Hack the Campus: Entrepreneurial Solutions for Students” – start-up ideas dedicated to improving student life, such as a digital platform, campus services, or educational solutions.
- Pedagogical Innovation
- “Courses of the Future: Interactive and Collaborative Learning” – teaching methodologies integrating digital technologies (virtual reality, interactive simulations, or artificial intelligence) to transform the educational experience.
- “Education Without Borders” – platform concepts or programs facilitating international collaboration among students, with an emphasis on cultural diversity and academic exchanges.
- Social Inclusion
- “Mentoring for All” – initiatives creating equal opportunities for students from vulnerable groups, such as mentoring programs or dedicated scholarships.
- “Campus for Diversity” – solutions to transform universities into more inclusive and diverse environments, promoting acceptance and integration of students from different cultures, social backgrounds, or with disabilities.
- Sustainable Development
- “Campus for a Healthy Life” – projects reducing the ecological footprint of the university campus, including resource-saving solutions, waste management, or promoting green transportation.
- “Education for Sustainability” – course plans or educational activities developing entrepreneurship and relevant skills for the labour market.
- Additional Theme: Increasing the Visibility of the INGENIUM Alliance – strategies or creative campaigns to boost the awareness and attractiveness of the INGENIUM Alliance among students and external partners.
The Road to Success!
The competition gathered 16 project ideas proposed by teams of students from the Ingenious Minds group, each presenting an original idea. After a first evaluation stage, 11 finalist teams were selected and showcased their innovative project ideas during Pitch Day, held online on December 12, 2024.
The Winners Shaping the Future
After careful deliberation, the jury selected 5 winning ideas, each standing out for their originality and the professionalism with which they were presented:
TUIasi Talks – Additional Theme: Visibility and Promotion of the INGENIUM Alliance
Compost for a Green and Sustainable Campus – Sustainable Development: Education for Sustainability
Cultural HUB – Social Inclusion: Campus for Diversity
Skill Exchange Platform for INGENIUM Alliance Students– Pedagogical Innovation: Courses of the Future – Interactive and Collaborative Learning
TUIASI Thrift Student Store– Entrepreneurship: Hack the Campus – Entrepreneurial Solutions for Students
Each of the winning teams will receive a prize of 5.000 RON, enabling them to bring their ideas to life.
A Moment of Celebration: The Awards Ceremony
The winners will be awarded at a special ceremony scheduled for:
- Date: January 10, 2025
- Time: 16:00
- Location: “Cristea Niculescu-Otin” Conference Room, Rectorate
In addition to the official awards, the ceremony will include presentations of the winning ideas, offering the audience an opportunity to discover the students’ innovative solutions and celebrate their creativity.
A Call for the Future: Be Part of the Change!
The Ingenious Ideas competition significantly contributes to developing students’ creative and entrepreneurial skills, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and active involvement in the academic community. Through this initiative, TUIASI and the INGENIUM Alliance reaffirm their commitment to supporting innovation, sustainability, and social inclusion.
This competition is not just about rewarding projects but about creating a community of students who want to change the world.
If you have an idea, a dream, or a solution worth exploring, we invite you to be part of the next edition of the competition!
