In collaboration with the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University Social Responsibility Network organised its first ever USRN Virtual Boot Camp + Seed Fund Competition: Innovating for the COVID New Normal in July 2022.
The Boot Camp attracted 12 teams of 45 students from Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Mainland China, South Africa, South Korea and the Philippines to decode complex global challenges under the COVID new normal and apply innovative and impactful solutions for an inclusive and sustainable future.
Apart from student participants, the Virtual Boot Camp also has 11 Expert Speakers and 7 Specialist Mentors from USRN member institutions from Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Mainland China, South Africa, South Korea, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. These experienced social innovators guide students to explore and adopt ideas, and design the prototypes for social good. An Expert Speaker Series of videos were also produced to share insights on innovations for life in the COVID New Normal.
After completing the workshops, student participants were required to showcase their idea adoption projects on a specific theme which can address the needs of the identified users, present originality and potential for scalable adoption, and show promise in enhancing inclusivity in the community. The pitching of the 12 brilliant teams were highly appreciated and recognised by the judges (click to review the pitching videos) and four teams were selected as the winning teams of the USRN Boot Camp and awarded with a Seed Fund (USD 2,000 for each team) to further develop and bring the ideas into actions from September to November 2022.
Winning teams of the USRN Boot Camp (institutions listed in alphabetical order)
| Home Institution | Team Members | Theme |
Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines
(Group 1 – Team 1) | Janica Jienne ABELLA
Frances Therese ONG
Benedict Tyler O’YEK
Arvin Martin SANTOS
Joshua TANINGCO | Elderly |
Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines
(Group 2 – Team 1) | Kyle Russell ANDAYA
Michelle CO
Rey DELGADO
Nirel Marie IBARRA | Elderly |
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR China
(Group 1 – Team 3) | Wai Yan CHAU
Yuxuan FAN
Hiu Ching TING | Elderly |
Yonsei University, South Korea
(Group 2 – Team 4) | Yeonwoo CHOI
Yewon KIM
Seojin PARK | Living with disabilities |
