In February 2024, Habib University hosted Invent for the Planet IFTP 2024, where students collaborated for 48 hours at the Playground. This challenge united students from across the globe in a shared quest to develop eco-sustainable solutions for critical global challenges. As time zones shifted, new teams joined, creating a continuous wave of innovation across the planet.
Following their outstanding performance, Habib University’s Team PureFlow advanced to the International Finals at ENSAM in Aix-en-Provence, France, emerging as third runner-up for IFTP 2024.
Leading the Charge at Habib University
Habib University, representing Pakistan for the fifth consecutive year, hosted this innovative event in collaboration with Texas A&M University. The event drew around 50 students who stayed on campus for 48 hours, working tirelessly to design and prototype sustainable environmental solutions for 14 critical global challenges.
The IFTP is different from typical hackathons because the teams are not pre-formed. Instead, they are created at the event based on shared interests in solving specific problems. Participants are led through a structured design process that mirrors the dynamics of high-performance teams in the professional world. This approach not only fosters creativity and innovation but also instills an entrepreneurial mindset and sharpens presentation skills in students.
The 2024 Challenge and Global Finals
Habib University’s student team, PureFlow, achieved the remarkable feat of securing second runner-up in the International Finals of the Invent for the Planet 2024 competition. Held at ENSAM in Aix-en-Provence, France, the competition featured teams from around the world to innovate eco-friendly solutions for pressing global challenges.
Team PureFlow’s dual-purpose water sustainability solution aims to ensure a continuous water supply in the dry weather of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Represented by Arisha Ali Naqvi (CND ’26), Syed Muhammad Asad Ali (EE ’27), Syed Ali Nisar Shah (EE ’25), Muhammad Hassan (CS ’26), Syed Muhammad Ali Imran (CS ‘ 26), and Muhammad Saad (CS ’26), the team reflects the high caliber of talent and ingenuity nurtured at Habib University.
IFTP Achievements and Impact
Habib University’s Team FinDiesel, which secured second place in the final round of IFTP 2023 at Texas A&M, is evidence of the event’s potential to spur groundbreaking ideas. Their innovative solution, a kit that converts fish waste into biodiesel, exemplifies the transformative thinking encouraged by IFTP.
Invent for the Planet 2024 once again demonstrated the power of collaborative innovation. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and challenging them to solve real-world problems, IFTP enables participants to play their part in creating a sustainable future and become successful leaders and innovators in their fields.
