UNIVERSITY
CHALLENGE
A COMPREHENSIVE 26-WEEK COMPETITION SHOWCASING THE BRIGHTEST UNIVERSITY MINDS IN SIERRA LEONE
12
UNIVERSITIES
4
REGIONS
26
WEEKS
1
CHAMPION
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION
WESTERN AREA
VENUE: Freetown
UNIVERSITIES: 8
TEAMS ADVANCE: 2
SOUTHERN AREA
VENUE: Bo
UNIVERSITIES: 4
TEAMS ADVANCE: 2
EASTERN AREA
VENUE: Kenema
UNIVERSITIES: 2
TEAMS ADVANCE: 1
NORTHERN AREA
VENUE: Makeni
UNIVERSITIES: 2
TEAMS ADVANCE: 1
COMPETITION ROUNDS
Six challenging rounds testing knowledge, innovation, and presentation skills.
ADVANCED QUIZ BOWL
Teams answer 4 questions each from Mathematics, ICT and Computer Science.
TIME: 30s/10s
POINTS (C/B/W): 5/+3/-2 per question
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Teams are given a problem with progressively difficult STEM/entrepreneurship problems.
TIME: 5mins/3mins
POINTS (C/B/W): 25/+15/-10
CROSSWORD/PUZZLE ROUND
Teams work on a crossword or puzzle projected on a screen or distributed as a sheet.
TIME: 3mins/1min
POINTS (C/B/W): +10 per word
CASE STUDY COMPETITION
Teams are given a real-world case that they should analyze and present structured solutions for.
TIME: 10min/2min
POINTS (C/B/W): 100/50/-40
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Teams are given a problem in their related discipline to prepare a business model canvas and plan for.
TIME: 15min/5min
POINTS (C/B/W): 150/75/-50
DESIGN, BUILD & PITCH
Teams present a startup idea or innovation and answer questions from judges.
TIME: 15min/10min
POINTS (C/B/W): 250/+100/-100
TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
PRELIMINARIES
12 institutions compete regionally with top teams advancing to the next round.
KNOCKOUTS
Top 8 teams face off in pairs of 2 in elimination rounds.
FINALE
The final 4 teams battle to be crowned national champion.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
TEAM AWARDS
CHAMPION TEAM AWARD
For the team that wins the overall University competition.
BEST HACKATHON TEAM
For the team that excels in the hackathon round.
BEST CASE STUDY TEAM
For the team with the most comprehensive and realistic case study solution.
MOST INNOVATIVE TEAM
For the team with the boldest, most creative solution.
BEST PITCH TEAM
For the team that delivers the most compelling business/startup pitch.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
BEST INNOVATOR AWARD
For the student who demonstrates the most original idea.
BEST PRESENTER AWARD
For the clearest and most engaging speaker.
BEST PROBLEM-SOLVER AWARD
For the individual who tackled complex problems with structured solutions.
STEM RISING STAR AWARD
For the most promising student innovator.
LEADERSHIP & TEAM SPIRIT
For the participant who shows leadership and motivates their team.
SPECIAL CATEGORY AWARDS
WOMEN IN STEM AWARD
Recognizing outstanding female participants or teams.
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION AWARD
For projects that address environmental or social sustainability.
TECH FOR GOOD AWARD
For innovations with the strongest community or social impact.
FRUGAL INNOVATION AWARD
For solutions that achieve maximum impact with minimal resources.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Determined by live audience voting (for most inspiring idea).