World University Challenge
The international student competition connects young talents from all over the world and offers the unique opportunity of competing, learning, and networking with senior experts from science and the industry.
International student competition
By organizing the World University Challenge, DWA promotes young talents and raises awareness for the relevance of water, wastewater and waste technologies for our future world society.
The next challenge will take place at IFAT Munich in May 5 - 6, 2026. Be part of it!
Winners 2024 - IFAT Munich
Winners 2024
1st place:
TU Vienna
- Elsa Lavinia Eder
- Kilian Deinhammer
- Severin Osten
2nd place:
TH Nürnberg
- Lisa Emmerling
- Keanu Reinelt
- Ulrike Wagner
3rd place:
University of Duisburg-Essen
- Lotte Webel
- Charlotte Rauh
- Johanna Niemann
University Challenge 2024
These tasks are waiting for your team
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Our IWRM-task is a role-play: As an interdisciplinary team of different stakeholders, you develop an IWRM-concept for a selected region. Your planning tools are a map combined with our DWA environment cards.
Measurement, control and regulation of water flows
On the basis of Adiro’s EduKit PA advanced for Festo Didactic your team demonstrates its ability to interprete piping and instrument flow diagrams and to put them into practice. Show us that you know the different system components and that you are able to control and regulate the system!
Numerical simulation of waste water systems
Use the software SIMBA#classroom to build a digital twin of a wastewater treatment plant. Optimize processes and flows and demonstrate your system understanding! Install SIMBA#classroom and practice with the demo version to prepare yourself.
Regulations, Registration & Sponsoring
Regulations
Take a look at the regulations so that you are well prepared for the challenge.
Registration
You want to be part of the next (World) University Challenge? Consider our regulations, motivate your colleagues, and register your team!
Sponsoring Packages
As a sponsor you make an important contribution to the educational effort of DWA. At the same time, your company benefits from the high visibility of the competition in the entrance area of the IFAT Munich.
History and supporters
The World University Challenge is closely linked to the IFAT trade fair. IFAT is the worldwide leading trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling and the most important sponsor of the competition. Since 2015, DWA has conducted international University Challenges at the IFAT fairgounds in Shanghai, Mumbai, Istanbul, and Johannesburg. The World University Challenge is the main competition and takes place biannually at the IFAT Munich.
It has become a good tradition that the winning teams of the international IFAT trade fairs are either invited to come and join the main competition in Munich or to visit one of the international Wilo company sites producing high-tech pumps for the world market.
The Wilo Foundation and our patroness, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), are long-standing supporters of the World University Challenge. Besides, we are always looking for commited supporters providing material or financial resources for organizing the World University Challenge.
Supporters of the World University Challenge 2024
For more information on the activities of Wilo-Foundation, take a look at this brochure. The DWA University Challenges are presented on page 22.
University Challenges around the World
