U21 and PwC's annual Innovation Challenge is now open for entries. This innovative competition helps graduate students to:  

• Develop strong communication skills

• Create their own professional networks  

• Take on real-world challenges  

• Connect with other students across the globe 

Universitas 21 and PwC are two globally focused organisations who have come together to offer this exclusive opportunity to U21's graduate student community. 

The new 2022 format of the competition is designed to encourage international collaboration and networking between students across borders and allow them to work together on real-world challenges.  

The 2022 Innovation Challenge comprises 2 phases: 

Individual Challenge (Phase 1): In an individual three-minute video, entrants from U21 network universities will respond to a challenge question (as in previous iterations of the competition).  

Team Challenge Phase (Phase 2): Successful finalists from Phase 1 (put forward by their universities to U21) will participate in a Team Challenge responding to a further question in assigned groups. These groups will then ‘pitch’ their response to a panel.  

Prize: There will be one winning team selected from the final pitches to the judging panel. The winning team will be awarded with highly rated bespoke career coaching with the PwC Academy. All elements of the competition will take place online.   

The Individual  Challenge Question (Phase 1) 

We invite any registered graduate student from U21 member universities to submit a 3-minute response via video to the following challenge: 

To what extent should governments support the private sector in managing and prioritizing their Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) agenda? 

PwC’s Annual CEO Survey reported that, despite rising interest in the Environmental, Societal and Governance agenda, strategy is still primarily driven by business metrics. From your own point of view, address the extent to which you think governments should support the private sector in this way, and what form you think the support should take.  

The question for the Team Challenge Phase (Phase 2) will be circulated to successful finalists from the Individual Challenge (Phase 1) after they have been grouped into teams. 

What will graduate students gain by participating? 

The challenge offers students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to ‘real-world’ situations and reflect on their own experiences via a short three-minute video. The videos are judged by PwC and their clients, who are leaders in graduate career development. Winners will also gain the opportunity to receive expert guidance on reaching their career goals.     As a result of taking part, students will: 

• Establish an international peer network for collaboration and support 

• Develop creative and innovative approaches to problem solving 

• Establish their professional networks by being connected with PwC and their clients 

How to take part 

You will need to submit a 3-minute video via your university in response to the challenge outlined above. Prospective entrants can refer to the ‘Information for Students’ section of this website for further details on how to enter and prepare for the competition.