Interdisciplinary teams from across the globe came together to tackle real-world challenges as part of the MTU Innovation Challenge 2025.
Over the last eight weeks, 11 teams of students from across Munster Technological University’s six campuses in Cork and Kerry collaborated with their peers from Ud'A University in Italy, Murang’a University of Technology in Kenya, the University of Skövde in Sweden, and the University of Crete in Greece.
They worked together to solve a diverse range of innovation challenges.
Each team worked closely with real-world organisations to develop creative, practical solutions to real world problems.
This year’s participating organisations come from healthcare, agriculture, assistive technology, AI, and nonprofit services.
Challenges ranged from implementing AI solutions for business process automation, to designing accessible healthcare devices, to improving sustainable farming tools and community engagement platforms.
Students tackled projects including the development of an AI-powered supply chain tool for tech firm Aspen Grove, the design of a paediatric syringe driver lockbox for Cork University Hospital, and a reimagined neck support brace for Motor Neurone patients at Marymount Hospice.
In the nonprofit and community space, students designed an interactive app for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind to engage users in a service dog’s journey.
They also contributed to a digital portal for clients at the Crann Centre, and explored improvements to solar-powered irrigation systems and data platforms with Kenyan start-up SowPrecise.
Carole O’Leary, who spearheads this initiative at MTU, said: “These projects are not hypothetical scenarios, these are real issues facing organisations right now.
"What’s remarkable is how our students rise to meet these complex challenges with such creativity, empathy, and professionalism.
"The benefits are two-fold: the organisations gain fresh perspectives and potential solutions, while students gain hands-on experience and the confidence to innovate in the real world.”
Two standout teams were each awarded a €1,000 prize for their innovative and impactful solutions: Team Marymount 1 and Team SowPrecise 1.
Orlaith Leo, Senior Physiotherapist, Marymount Hospice said: “To put my clinical head together with their creative minds has been so valuable, and they’ve come up with some brilliant ideas I could never have imagined.”
Gemma Leo, Business Support and Project Manager at the Crann Centre, said: “The apps that we saw were absolutely beautiful - so a massive congratulations to the students.
"I can totally see that if we can get them built, our clients would use them.”
Hiswill Agaba, a first-year Mechanical Engineering student at MTU’s Kerry Campus who was working on a solution for the Cork University Hospital Challenge, said: “The most rewarding aspect has been the experience I gained and the knowledge I picked up along the way.
"Working with people from different backgrounds opened my eyes to how others think. Everyone has great ideas and unique perspective.”
Photo: Leo, Business Support and Project Manager at the Crann Centre with MTU students, Tetiana Neliepova, Mascha Blenn, Wei Chen, John O’Brien, and Sophie Coughlan at the MTU Innovation Challenge 2025. Pics: Emily Piggott
