– Representing UiA on an international stage and seeing the work recognised globally is something I’m very proud of, says Bandhon Saha Bijoy.
The competition brings together students from universities around the world to tackle major sustainability challenges. The journey began in December last year, when Professor Souman Rudra from UiA’s renewable energy program introduced Bijoy to the opportunity and encouraged him to participate.
About the competition
- AspenTech’s Global Academic Innovators Challenge brings together students from universities around the world
- Focuses on sustainability, the energy transition, the circular economy, and carbon capture
- Bijoy was the regional winner for Europe and finished third globally in 2026
- More information: Global Academic Innovators Challenge
Flying on captured CO₂
Bijoy is a first-year master's student in Renewable Energy at UiA. In the competition he chose to work on carbon capture and storage, also known as CCUS. The aim was to find a new way of producing sustainable aviation fuel, known as SAF, from CO₂ captured from industrial flue gases. The project used the simulation software Aspen Plus, to which UiA gives its students access. Bijoy also incorporated machine learning to optimise production.
– The topics captivated me immediately, particularly because I study renewable energy, he says.
From Europe to the world stage
Bijoy submitted the project on 30 March. He was selected as the regional winner for Europe, thereby securing a place in the final, known as the Global Showdown. On 6 May the final was held as a live two-hour simulation challenge. On 14 May the result was announced: Bijoy had finished third globally.
Professor Souman Rudra is proud of what his student has achieved.
– This demonstrates the quality of our students and the strong academic community we are building at UiA. Succeeding against top international universities is a remarkable achievement, he says.
For Bijoy, third place is a starting point, not a finishing line. His goal is to work on making industry greener, combining carbon capture, renewable hydrogen, and AI-based optimisation in real-world energy systems.
Interested in the renewable energy programme?
Check out the UiA’s bachelor’s programme in renewable energy