Take Rector's challenge - win a semester of student loan!

How to enter the competition

To enter the competition you must be a registered student at the University of Oslo. Your submitted idea will be reviewed by a committee consisting of experts from UiO and the City of Oslo. On 1 March five finalists will be announced. On 11 March, the finalists will present (pitch) their ideas to a panel and an audience in Sophus Lies auditorium. The winner receives a cash prize equivalent to one semester student loan (NOK 46,250). UiO’s Technology transfer office Inven2 will offer advice for finalists looking to commercialize their ideas.
 

The challenges:

• Air quality

During winter, the air quality in parts of Oslo is so poor that many groups experience an impaired quality of life. Asthmatics, people with lung or heart disease, elderly or children may be affected to such an extent that they have to stay indoors. Do you have an idea that can reduce emissions, make emissions cleaner or capture emissions more efficiently?

• Waste management and recycling

Increased prosperity leads to increased consumption and more waste. Today, Norwegians produce 30 percent more waste than in 1995, and waste is one of our greatest environmental challenges. Do you have an idea that makes it easier for consumers to recycle, for manufacturers to create products that can be recycled - or maybe you have an idea for how we can utilize waste more efficiently?

• Transport

Oslo’s population is rapidly increasing. There is an increase in the need for transportation of both people and goods. Transporting products from producer to consumer or people from their home to their workplace can be made easier and more eco-friendly. Do you have an idea for good and environmentally friendly transport solutions?

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When does it start?

The competition kicks off 11 February from 4.30 pm (Sophus Lies auditorium). Here, Rector Ole Petter Ottersen and Oslo's vice mayor for environment and transport, Ola Elvestuen (V), present the challenges. Tor Grønsund, entrepreneur and lecturer at the Center for Entrepreneurship, will be there to inspire you. After the kick-off, we continue the discussion over green drinks in the foyer.

Does my idea have to be fully developed?

No. Sign up for one of the innovation camps and end up with an idea you may enter in the competition. Note that the innovation camps will be conducted in Norwegian.

When do the innovation camps take place?

• Waste and recycling: 14 February, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Natural Science Library, Vilhelm Bjerknes hus)
• Air quality: 18  February, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (10th floor, Lucy Smith's house)
• Transport: 21 February, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Natural Science Library, Vilhelm Bjerknes hus)

I already have an idea I want to submit - what do I do?

Simply complete the entry form and you have entered the competition. The form asks you to describe your idea: Is it a product or a service, a method or an organizational model? Does your idea have a target group or potential customers? Would the idea be of commercial value or is it non-profit? What positive impact will the implementation of the idea have on the environment? A tip is to check out whether your idea has been implemented before. The idea must be submitted no later than 28 February.

What are we looking for?

The idea has to be a specific solution to a problem. You can be inspired by personal experience, identify an environmental challenge that interests you, or you can use your area of study as a point of departure. Your idea may be a service or a product, a process or an organizational model.

Why participate?

• Learn more about how to develop ideas
• An opportunity to influence your community
• Use your imagination and competences to solve important challenges
• Cash prize

What happens to my idea?

You have full control over what happens to your idea. If you win, you can e.g. use the prize money to develop your idea further. If you do not reach the final stages of this competition, you can enter the idea in other innovation competitions or maybe you will put your idea into practice yourself? The choice is yours.

Can we participate as a team?

Yes, you can. Groups of up to 3 people can sign up for innovation camps.

What happens if my idea is one of the five finalists?

You will be invited to attend a new innovation camp (Tuesday, 5 March, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). We will help you develop your idea, and create an implementation plan or business plan. You will also receive help to make a good presentation (pitch) for the final. On 11 March you will participate in the final where you must present the idea to a panel of judges and an audience. In the end you might be the one who ends up with the prize money.

About the competition

"Rector's Challenge" is a collaboration between the University of Oslo and the City of Oslo. UiO’s Technology transfer office, Inven2 and World Wide Narrative (a creative lab for social innovation) are important contributors to the project.