Historic Co-winners of the CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge Announced in Singapore

Historic Co-winners of the CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge Announced in Singapore



The 13th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference (GIC), held in Singapore, marked a significant milestone as it witnessed Team Unstoppables from Uganda and Team Path Seekers from Brazil being declared co-winners of the esteemed 2025 CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge. This notable occurrence is the first tie in the challenge’s history, celebrating both teams’ innovative approaches to addressing refugee issues.

The CIEE UNHCR Student Challenge, now in its third year, is a collaborative initiative between CIEE and UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, supported by District C. The competition invites students to develop feasible solutions that promote the inclusion of refugees in higher education and workforce development. This year, the challenge saw participation from 123 teams comprising 435 students representing 143 colleges and universities across 63 countries, all of whom submitted their proposals to tackle pressing challenges related to refugee access to educational opportunities.

In the initial phase of the competition, participants submitted 500-word proposals. From an impressive pool of ideas, 36 semifinalist teams were selected to further refine their propositions, culminating in live presentations that took place at the GIC. After thorough evaluation by a panel of esteemed judges, Team Unstoppables and Team Path Seekers emerged as the standout finalists, both of which demonstrated potential solutions that could significantly impact refugee communities.

Meet the Winning Teams



Team Unstoppables (Uganda) is composed of students from Makerere University, featuring team captain Shalom Nyirimana Ishimwe, alongside Sasha Achola and Rhinah Akankunda. Their award-winning proposal titled “Re-Platform” aims to empower displaced youth through a mobile camp that integrates education with apprenticeships, connecting them with local opportunities in their communities.

Team Path Seekers (Brazil) is a dynamic group from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG), Paulista University (UNIP), and the Technological Federal University of Paraná (UTFPR). Led by Júlia Kamata de Castro, their proposal “Borderless Apprentices” introduces a 4+1 apprenticeship framework that incorporates vocational guidance, micro-credentials, and community engagement initiatives to better support refugees.

Henrique do Bomfim Braga Chaves, a member of Team Path Seekers, reflected on the significance of their work: "This challenge provided us with a chance to innovate with purpose and to advocate for the issues faced by refugee youth around the world. After four years at university, I often felt frustrated by how few opportunities there were to translate academic learning into real-world action. However, this experience allowed us to contribute to tangible solutions for refugee youth globally. Winning is just the beginning of our journey."

The competition also acknowledged Team Aspan (Kazakhstan) as the runner-up, recognized for their innovative digital health apprenticeship program designed to enhance job access.

Impactful Proposals and Future Opportunities



Finalist teams were judged by a distinguished panel comprised of leaders from the realms of refugee advocacy and higher education, including CIEE President and CEO James P. Pellow, Senior Advisor Laura Brege, and UNHCR’s Philanthropy and Partnership Lead Wendy Ong. Pellow noted the challenge’s educational value, stating, “The Student Challenge offers students an opportunity to engage thoughtfully with some of the world’s most pressing issues. Their proposals deepen our understanding of refugee challenges while fostering critical skills that are central to future global careers.”

All eligible members of the winning teams will receive global internships through CIEE in the summer of 2026, and both teams will have opportunities to present their solutions to UNHCR and its networks, amplifying the potential impact of their innovative ideas.

About the Organizers



UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency works to protect the rights and well-being of people who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, and persecution. With over 122 million displaced individuals globally, the agency recognizes the vital role of youth in shaping the future of refugee inclusion.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has been fostering cross-cultural exchanges for over 75 years, empowering global citizens through study abroad, internship, and exchange programs.

For more information about the event and the proposals presented, you can visit UNHCR and CIEE.

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