First workshop day of the 5th edition of the SBE Student Challenge: A day full of inspiration and teamwork!

Yesterday, the fifth edition of the SBE Student Challenge officially kicked off with a first workshop day full of energy! We met twenty motivated students at the Central Station, ready to take on the challenge together. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we hopped on our bikes and headed to Royers Lock, the heart of the project for which they will be developing creative solutions for cycling tunnels and bridges.

When we arriving at the site, the students first attended a series of engaging presentations. They learned about the crucial role SBE plays in the larger Royers Lock project and gained a clear understanding of the assignment ahead. This provided the perfect foundation for the subsequent site visit, a unique opportunity to explore the area firsthand and see in real time the challenges and possibilities they would be working with.

After a short lunch break, the students began the group sessions. Working in multidisciplinary teams, they immediately started exchanging their initial ideas. Creativity flowed, and each team quickly developed a first concept to present to the group. From innovative cycling bridges to smart tunnel solutions—the initial results were very promising!

As the day came to a close, we cycled back to the station as a close-knit convoy, ending the day with a relaxed afterwork gathering. With fresh ideas and new connections, everyone returned home ready to continue brainstorming on this exciting challenge. In February 2025, we will reconvene for the next phase of the Student Challenge, where the teams will further develop their plans.

We are already looking forward to seeing which creative solutions these talented students will bring!