Exeter students become "Global Citizens" in Grand Challenges

The week-long programme, now in its second year, gave students the opportunity to work across levels and disciplines to engage with each other and top academic, political, and industry leaders, to find solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. Challenges, which were run at both Streatham and Penryn campuses, saw more than 600 students tackle subjects from re-orientating education to fashion ethics, sustainable food production to the global energy crisis.

During the week, students undertook a number of fieldtrips, workshops, and publicity events. Participants in the Digital Futures Challenge became actively involved in the archiving process of organisations such as the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Exeter City Football Club, whilst those on the No Health Without Mental Health Challenge took the fight against stigma and taboo to the world, with a Bust a Myth social media campaign. Students working towards the Fashion Ethics Challenge even began an engagement campaign in Exeter city centre, challenging the public to think about the clothes they wear. The campaign proved so popular, students have been invited to continue this through the summer.

At Penryn, meanwhile, those on the Food For Thought sustainable food Challenge were set the task of creating edible delights from two days of supermarket leftovers, courtesy of Falmouth Sainsbury’s, and had a pasta-making workshop led by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall. Students working towards Health and Poverty in Developing Countries had the opportunity to Skype into a medical school in Ethiopia, whilst others paid a visit to Cornish-based charity Shelter Box, a world-renowned disaster relief organisation.

At the end of Grand Challenges, students presented their research, conclusions and campaigns in a number of creative stalls, displays and presentations. The closing ceremony in Exeter’s Forum saw an ethical fashion show and a performance by local French-style clown troupe, Le Navet Bete, whilst at Penryn, all students who completed their Challenge were invited to the FXU Garden Party on the lawns of Tremough House, which included live music and spectacular fireworks.

Speaking after the event, Michele Shoebridge, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Academic Services, said: “I’m delighted to see how our students have engaged with Grand Challenges this year.  The programme is a real USP for Exeter. It’s great to see Exeter students seeing themselves as global citizens with the chance to have a positive impact on some of the world’s major problems.

“Looking around the closing ceremony, it was clear how much creativity the students are bringing to finding lasting solutions, and I’m very pleased to hear so many students comment that they were going to continue their interest in the Challenges.  It is this sort of programme that really sets Exeter, and Exeter students, apart.”

Attention now turns to next year’s programme, which will be held on 1-5 June 2015, and will include a whole new set of Challenges.  For more information on this year's closing ceremony, see the Grand Challenges blog.