The sustainable use of water is one of the key challenges of our time. Against this backdrop, the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) brings together student teams from around the world through the World University Challenge, where they demonstrate their knowledge and ideas in water management within an international competition. As part of IFAT in Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies, the participants work on practical tasks ranging from strategic concepts for sustainable water management to technical and digital applications. In this way, the competition becomes a platform for exchange, innovation, and talent development, connecting young talents with stakeholders from academia and industry while offering insights into the solutions of tomorrow.

At this year’s fifth DWA World University Challenge at IFAT in Munich, the team from TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) took first place, followed by Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon Ohm in second and the University of Stuttgart in third. In a role-based simulation on integrated water resources management, the digital modelling of a wastewater treatment plant, and a practical task focused on measuring, controlling, and regulating water flows, it became evident how crucial early hands-on experience and international perspectives are for educating the next generation of engineers.

International competition for young engineering talent

The World University Challenge is aimed at committed students of water management and engineering disciplines. It offers them the opportunity to apply their specialist knowledge in a practical, team‑based setting, gain international experience and establish early contacts with the global professional community of the water sector. At the same time, the competition pursues the goal of promoting the next generation of engineers and drawing companies’ attention to qualified and motivated young professionals. Competitions like this create spaces for professional and intercultural exchange and help to present the water sector as a future‑oriented and diverse industry.

In three task areas, the students demonstrated their skills: in a role‑based simulation game on the topic of “Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)”, in modeling a wastewater treatment plant using the software Simba, and in solving a practical task on the measurement, control and regulation of water flows at a test rig.

In addition, against the backdrop of the internationally recognised standards of the German water sector, the DWA, together with WorldSkills Germany, ADIRO and other partners, organised an international training camp at the German Performance Center for Water Technology in Esslingen, with the Wilo‑Foundation supporting participants through scholarships.

Young Water Award for outstanding achievements

Prior to the award ceremony, students from China and India accepted an invitation from the Wilo‑Foundation to attend a reception at IFAT. David Höltgen, Executive Board member of the Wilo-Foundation, welcomed the international guests and presented the foundation’s funding activities. Afterwards, the participants were given insights into innovative solutions at the Wilo exhibition stand during a guided tour led by technical experts from the Wilo Group.

The respective winning teams of the DWA University Challenges held at international IFAT trade fairs abroad are honored with the “Young Water Award”. The first prize includes a visit by the winning team to the corresponding Wilo country organization.

A key objective of the university competition is to promote young engineering talent in the field of water management from China (Shanghai), India (Mumbai), South Africa (Johannesburg) and Turkey (Istanbul). To enable the winning teams from these countries to participate in the DWA World University Challenge, which takes place every two years as part of IFAT in Munich, the Wilo‑Foundation has been covering flight costs and participation fees since 2016.