KPMG Innovation and Collaboration Challenge (KICC) stimulates innovation and real-world problem solving among top students in UAE/GCC universities

Dubai, 18 February 2019: KPMG’s Innovation and Collaboration Challenge (KICC) has once again brought together leading university undergraduates from across the region. The annual event tests students’ creativity and problem-solving skills, as they develop solutions to address some of today’s most complex global issues.

The competition is a disruptive and immersive learning experience—an opportunity for exceptional university students to challenge themselves in intellectually stimulating business scenarios.

The winners of this year’s UAE edition were Team Orange Thunder from the Rochester Institute of Technology. The team comprised Ajinka Patwardhan, Yohaan Jacob, Shaima Muez, and Abdullah Khan.

This year’s Lower Gulf stage had a total of 12 participating teams, comprising 48 students from institutions across the UAE, including the American University of Sharjah, Al Ghurair University, Heriot-Watt University, Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T) University Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology, Middlesex University and University of Sharjah. The winning team will now head to Argentina to compete in the global finals, where they will go up against teams from 26 other participating countries.

In this round, participants were asked to develop and present innovations that would empower people in disadvantaged communities to take control of their own health and well-being. Teams were allowed to choose any company (for-profit or not-for-profit) and develop an idea that would innovate, disrupt and transform the selected company’s current business model by developing a new process, technology or service.

Peter Haugaard, Head of People, Performance and Culture, KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “KICC offers participants a chance to compete with some of the brightest minds from around the world to tackle some of the key challenges plaguing us today. We believe that it is a valuable platform for them to embark on a journey of learning, while exploring innovations that prepare them for life as professional business consultants.”

“This year’s participants have displayed some exceptional qualities and we are very pleased that they have made it this far and are now preparing for the final test that will evaluate how they assess global issues, tackle big business briefs and explore how their ideas could make a difference in the real world.”

KICC is also an opportunity for KPMG member firms to interact with and share some their experiences with potential business leaders of tomorrow—and help them prepare for their careers. The competition has a built-in aspect of inclusion and diversity, as each team of four is required to include a minimum of one male and one female, and at least one science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) student. This criteria helps foster and nurture an understanding of the power of inclusive and diverse teams; bringing together different perspectives to create innovative solutions to the issues of today.

Finalists from each country will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the 2019 grand final. Over the course of three days in April, the 26 teams will work to develop innovative, results-driven solutions and present them to a panel of experienced KPMG judges representing a diverse background of business and sector knowledge. The teams will progress through multiple rounds until one team ultimately will be crowned KICC champion 2019.