Record participation marks AUW Hult Prize 2026 as students pitch circular economy solutions
Aligned with the global Hult Prize theme “Unlimited”, the campus competition drew students from 18 Asian countries and registered its highest number of entries to date.
Record student participation and a strong focus on circular economy models marked this year's AUW Hult Prize 2026, as teams from Asian University for Women (AUW) pitched sustainability-focused ventures addressing global development challenges.
Aligned with the global Hult Prize theme "Unlimited", the campus competition drew students from 18 Asian countries and registered its highest number of entries to date. Organisers said the surge reflected growing student engagement with climate action, waste reduction, and inclusive business models tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a press release.
Out of the registered teams, 15 abstracts were shortlisted and five teams advanced to the grand finale. The finalist projects spanned mental health, sustainable fashion, recycling systems, and women-led green enterprises. Team ECYCLE REFORMERS won the competition, with judges highlighting its scalable approach to recycling and waste management, alongside a structured implementation plan with measurable social impact. Team VELORIA and Team ECO SHE finished as first and second runners-up respectively.
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The winning team will represent AUW at the national level of the Hult Prize, placing the university among a growing number of campuses contributing student-led solutions to global sustainability challenges.
The competition was held in partnership with StarPath Holdings Ltd, which provided mentorship and industry exposure in addition to sponsorship. Organisers said the collaboration aimed to bridge academic ideas with real-world implementation.
Led by Campus Director Anha Islam and Deputy Campus Director Samira Rahman, the student organising committee coordinated the event across five functional departments, underscoring AUW's emphasis on leadership training through hands-on experience.
Academics and industry experts attending the finale said the projects reflected a shift towards interdisciplinary, impact-driven innovation among young women, positioning AUW as a growing hub for sustainability-focused entrepreneurship in the region.
