School of Business and Law

Friday, 04 September 2026

How can one of Western Australia’s most critical sectors balance economic growth with environmental guardianship for future generations?

That was the central question put to nearly 40 university students during an intense 1.5-day hackathon hosted at Curtin University for the 2026 PRME WA SDG Challenge. Over a high-energy weekend of whiteboards, rapid prototyping, and cross-disciplinary debate, students from across WA’s four public universities collaborated to rethink the future of the state's resource sector.

Four Universities, One UN-Backed Mission

The WA Students Doing Good (SDG) Challenge is part of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, a United Nations-backed network designed to cultivate responsible leadership and sustainable decision-making in future industry professionals.

This year, the challenge tasked students with answering a complex brief: How can the mining industry support sustainable development and growth in WA that provides social, economic, and environmental benefits while keeping ecosystems healthy for future generations?

Industry Collaboration Meets Practical Learning

To ground their ideas in real-world feasibility, industry mentors from organisations including PLS, Future-Fit Australia, ESG Matters and the United Nations Association of Australia WA Inc (UNAAWA) worked alongside academic guides to help students translate abstract concepts into viable pitch strategies. The focus on real-world application was particularly evident this year, with mentors presenting direct challenges faced by sectors like lithium mining.

“What made this year's challenge especially rewarding was that it focused on a real-world lithium mining problem statement, giving students the opportunity to tackle an authentic industry challenge and develop tangible solutions,” said Glenton Moses, Industry Mentor from PLS. “The best solutions to complex sustainability and industry challenges often come from diverse perspectives working together toward a shared goal.”

Innovative Pitches and Podium Finishes

Students presented their final concepts to a panel of expert judges, pitching solutions that tackled everything from site remediation to circular supply chains.

• 1st Place: Taking top Honors was a winning pitch centred on turning heavy tyre waste into sustainable economic opportunities through a transportable modular shredding system.
• 2nd Place: A lifecycle model that delivers long-term water, economic, and community capability while keeping early-stage mining operations financially viable.
• 3rd Place: A comprehensive framework focused on rehabilitating closed mine sites to restore ecosystems and support post-mining community resilience.

ECU students made a strong showing across the competition, securing representation on every single podium team. Amirhossein Safari and Thuy Dung Nguyen showcased the ECU School of Business and Law strong talent pool by securing spots in both the second- and third-place teams.

For the participants, the sprint offered an eye-opening look into an industry undergoing rapid transformation. “This year’s challenge took us into a completely new space: mining,” said Thuy Lucy Nguyen, a Master of Marketing and Innovation student at ECU and member of the third-place team. “It was a great opportunity to learn more about how the industry operates, its environmental impacts, and what  happens to local communities when a mine eventually closes.”

Amirhossein Safari, an MPA student and second-place finalist, shared his experience. “Working alongside peers from different universities exposed me to new ideas, and the outstanding coach mentorship kept us focused and moving forward every step of the way.'"

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Industry

The SDG Challenge serves as a key bridge between academic theory and high-stakes industry application.

“Participating as an academic mentor was a highly rewarding experience,” noted Dr. Dilhani Kapu Arachchilage. “I was impressed by how students transformed sustainability challenges into innovative pitches, demonstrating strong teamwork, critical thinking, and practical application of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was inspiring to see students apply their knowledge with confidence while recognising the vital role sustainability plays in the future of the mining sector.”