The Development and Development Association has concluded the third edition of the “Ignited” competition, held under the theme “Smart Water Management,” and organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

The initiative aims to empower university students and better prepare them for the labor market by creating a competitive environment that bridges the gap between academic education and real-world industry needs.

The competition focused on encouraging participants to develop practical solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics, contributing to improved irrigation systems, reduced water waste, enhanced water management efficiency, and supporting Egypt’s broader sustainable development efforts.

Launched in September, the third edition was followed by an intensive training program that ran through April, engaging 750 students across 80 teams from 50 STEM schools spanning 18 governorates.

The competition featured three main technical tracks, including 37 teams in web development, 33 teams in application development, and 10 teams competing in the robotics track.

Commenting on the initiative, Mohamed Farouk Hafez, Chairman of the association, stated that the competition prioritized broad participation from schools across various governorates to raise awareness about the importance of innovation and technology.

He noted that the theme was carefully selected to channel students’ capabilities toward addressing real challenges impacting the country’s present and future.

He added that the “Ignited” competition represents a genuine platform for discovering young talent, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and preparing a generation capable of leveraging technology to solve real-world problems and deliver sustainable solutions that benefit the Egyptian economy and society.