Collaborative drive for eco-friendly ingenuity: BHCK organizes Sustainability Design Contest 2025
Sparking Green Dreams: The Sustainability Design Challenge 2025
Box Hill College Kuwait (BHCK) echoed with excitement as it played host to a vibrant extravaganza – the Sustainability Design Challenge 2025. This student-led initiative bridged the gaps between culture, creativity, and ecological responsibility, all under the spotlight of World Creativity and Innovation Day.
The event, a collaborative effort between the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Representative, the UNESCO Gulf Regional Office, and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW), united learners, educators, design pros, and sustainability advocates, united by a shared goal: designing a new generation of eco-friendly cultural spaces.
BHCK and the American International University (AIU) student teams dived deep into designing a Sustainable Museum – a visionary symbol of cultural preservation and environmental conservation. The design contest was a breeding ground for groundbreaking ideas that promised to spearhead a greener tomorrow.
A wave of creativity swept across the campus. Architectural sketches, innovative concepts, and green design blueprints flooded the rooms as students unveiled their museum visionaries – structures that echoed the footprints of green innovation.
The event attracted international bigwigs, including H.E. Ghada Eltahir, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait; Eng. Nasser Adel Khuraibet, Deputy Director General at PAHW; and Mr. Rasul Samadov, Cultural Program Specialist at the UNESCO Gulf Regional Office. Their presence not only lent international weight but also underscored the vital role young minds play in catalyzing sustainable development.
Prof. Ali Arifa, BHCK's President, commended the students, stating, "Our students are exploring beyond textbooks and crafting solutions that have real-world impact. Events like these turn dreams into action, in sync with the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals."
In her keynote address, H.E. Ghada Eltahir emphasized the transformative power of cultural and creative industries, saying, "This event champions the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Creativity is more than a spark – it's a force for inclusive growth, sustainability, and identity."
The event reached its crescendo with an award ceremony, where exceptional teams from the Graphic and Interior Design programs were awarded for their exceptional contributions. Their museum concepts were not just award-winning designs but also celebrated eco-friendly and socially conscious blueprints.
Ms. Reem Al Zamel, Head of the School of Design and Applied Arts at BHCK, remarked, "This challenge kickstarts a pedagogical commitment to weave the UN SDGs directly into our students' academic voyage. By solving real-world challenges, we prepare students to be change-makers."
An intriguing panel discussion followed, exploring the evolving dimensions of sustainability across architecture, education, business, and environmental policy. Panelists shared insights on how design, consumer behavior, and cross-sector collaboration can help foster resilient communities and a brighter future for our planet.
The celebration culminated with heartfelt accolades for partners, sponsors, jury members, and faculty, all of whom made the challenge possible. WTE EVN Group, NBK, IKEA, KDD, Residence Inn and Executive Apartments by the Marriott, Al Nasser & Al Nashie United, Turkish Airlines, the American Business Council Kuwait, and academic partners, the American International University; and media partners Al Jarida Newspaper and Times Magazine were among the prominent personalities that underscored the event's success.
In closing, Mr. Bassem Alkassem, Chair of BHCK's Training and Consulting Committee, underscored, "Sustainability is no longer a choice – it's a mindset. At Box Hill, we're cultivating future leaders who understand their role in preserving our planet."
As the spotlight dimmed, one thing echoed loud and clear: this was more than a design competition. It was a spark - igniting hope, passion, and purpose in a new generation, ready to construct a sustainable legacy.
Partners: WTE EVN Group, NBK, IKEA, KDD, Residence Inn, Executive Apartments by the Marriott, Al Nasser & Al Nashi United, Turkish Airlines, American Business Council Kuwait, academic partners, American International University, and media partners, Al Jarida Newspaper and Times Magazine.
- The Sustainability Design Challenge 2025, held at Box Hill College Kuwait (BHCK), served as a hub for learners, educators, designers, and advocates, all united by a common vision of designing eco-friendly cultural spaces.
- Khuraibet, Deputy Director General at PAHW, was among the influential figures who graced the event, highlighting the importance of young minds in driving sustainable development.
- In her keynote address, H.E. Ghada Eltahir emphasized the role of cultural and creative industries in fostering growth, sustainability, and identity, referencing the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
- The event concluded with an award ceremony, where exceptional teams from BHCK's Graphic and Interior Design programs were recognized for their eco-friendly and socially conscious museum concepts.
- Sustainable living was at the forefront of the event, with higher education institutes like BHCK committing to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into their students' academic journeys.
- The celebration also featured a panel discussion, focusing on the intersection of sustainability with architecture, education, business, and environmental policy. The panelists discussed how design, consumer behavior, and collaboration could forge resilient communities and a brighter future for our planet.
- Skills training was integral to the event, as students gained valuable learning experiences that prepared them for personal growth, career development, and environmental-science-related roles.
- Partner organizations such as WTE EVN Group, NBK, IKEA, and the American Business Council Kuwait, played a significant role in the success of the Sustainability Design Challenge 2025, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in promoting sustainability.
