03 November, 2022

Rebecca Robinson, Hincks Centre Researcher and Faculty Adviser to Enactus MTU, attended the Enactus Word Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico, thanks to winning a bursary from KPMG and receiving funding from MTU’s School of Business.

This year, the Enactus World Cup competition took place over three days from the 30 October to 2 November. Students from universities in 37 countries came to collaborate, celebrate and compete in the name of social entrepreneurship and improving the livelihoods of others.

The National Champions that represented Team Ireland were from University College Cork (UCC). UCC entered the competition with two projects called ReFrame and Ceangal. ReFrame focuses on plastic waste and how to transform it into new useful products. Ceangal is a candle business where all products are made by asylum seekers and profits go back to them and the people in Direct Provision. Team Ireland received great encouragement, reaching the final 16 teams competing in the semi-finals.

The overall Champions, taking home the title of Enactus World Champions 2022 and $100,000 USD in prize money from the Ford Motor Company, was Team Egypt from Ain Shams University. Team Egypt created four sustainable projects from the shells of an invasive species in their region. They created four revenue generating business from this and even employ former fish farmers who had been displaced as a result of the invasive Crayfish in the Nile. Team Egypt created chitosan, poultry feed, an organic pesticide and fertiliser as well as a water filtration system from the waste shells.

Aside from the competition, some of the highlights throughout the three days in Puerto Rico were the many fun activities and events that students could get involved in. Students were invited to Old San Juan town for a walking tour of this beautiful and historic part of the city which is full of Puerto Rican food, music and culture. Students went on a rain forest tour and zip-lined through the jungle canopy as well as visiting local social entrepreneurship projects that benefit various communities in the city. There was the World Cultural Experience, called Fiesta de las Calles, where each country’s culture was showcased culminating in a big party for all. If you want to see some action from the Enactus World Cup 2022, the official video is available HERE to watch.

Being involved in Enactus and our very own Enactus MTU is a great opportunity for all students from all backgrounds and disciplines to:

• Be part of a community of students in MTU, nationally and universities globally;
• Create innovative, entrepreneurial solutions to societal problems and
• Transform the lives of many people in need.

Enactus:

• Gives students valuable opportunities and skills and added advantages inside and beyond the university;
• Provides students with close links to corporates, e.g. Microsoft, KPMG, Aer Lingus, Citi, Unilever and others and
• Provides an opportunity to receive an all-expenses paid trip to The Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands next year as part of Team Ireland and MTU.

It Could Be You!

For information on how to join Enactus MTU, please sign up through MTU's Societies Page HERE or check out our socials - Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or email enactuscork@mtusocieties.ie.