President's Challenge
Western University proudly presents the first-ever President's Challenge—a multi-week competition designed to empower and inspire university teams to address the urgent needs and issues plaguing our society. In this inaugural year, we are setting our sights on a crucial mission: keeping Canadians out of the hospital.
Join the Western Community in solving
real-world problems at the President's Challenge!
A message from the President
In Western’s strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, we challenged our community to act boldly in the face of grand challenges and to find innovative solutions. The President’s Challenge is a call to action for students to bring their brightest ideas to the table.
Dr. Alan Shepard, President & Vice-Chancellor
Shaping the future of health care
The President's Challenge welcome innovative minds to share solutions that address the most pressing challenges facing our health care system. As we embark on this exciting journey, we encourage you to form teams of two to four members, pooling your diverse skills and perspectives to craft ground-breaking solutions that could reshape the landscape of health care. Imagine the impact your ideas could have on a global scale.
How it works: A platform for innovation
Open to all Western students (including affiliates) the President's Challenge invites interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to the critical issues facing our society. This competition is carefully designed to enhance your academic, oral presentation, and entrepreneurial skills, all while fostering a spirit of action on global issues. By presenting your unique ideas to a panel of academic and community leaders, you are not just competing; you are actively contributing to positive change.
The urgency of now: A call to action
24 hrs
Average wait time for patients requiring an inpatient bed.
200+
Emergency Department Closures in the past year.
118 mins
Average before patients were assessed by a physician.
5.3%
People who left Ontario Hospitals without being seen.
*Statistics courtesy of Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, Value-for-Money Audit: Emergency Departments, December 2023.
The competition gains added significance in light of recent revelations by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. Their findings underscore the critical need for effective systems and processes to oversee emergency care delivery, ensuring timeliness and meeting all patient needs. As aspiring change-makers, your ideas could be the missing piece to transform our healthcare system and alleviate the burden on hospitals.
Join the President's Challenge and be a driving force in shaping the future of health care! Together, let's make a difference that resonates not only within our community but across borders. Your solution could be the key to keeping Canadians out of the hospital, creating a blueprint for a healthier, more resilient society.
Are you up for the challenge?
Prizes, How to Apply and Important Dates
Prizes:
Organized by the Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship Powered by Ivey Business School, the competition includes a healthy prize with the winning team receiving $10,000 in cash! The following are the prizes for the President’s Challenge:
- Cash prizes: $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 for first, second, and third-placed teams, respectively. The fourth and fifth-placed teams will receive $1,000.
- The opportunity for the top 3 teams to work with faculty and researchers at Western/Ivey to publish a white paper or engage in further research on their proposal
- The opportunity for the top 3 teams to participate in the Western Accelerator
- Travel and accommodation will be covered for the top 5 teams who participate in the Showcase in Toronto
The President's Challenge is open to all Western students (including affiliates).
How to apply:
To apply for the President's Challenge, all student teams must complete our Intent-to-Compete form.
Teams chosen for the President's Challenge will need to provide a completed proposal for the final part of the competition. Specific criteria for the proposal and presentations will be updated shortly.
For more details on eligibility, please read the Competition Rules.
Important dates & deadlines:
Panel, Reception, and Info Session: January 23, 2024, Western University from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Intent to Compete Deadline: January 28, 2024 at 11:59 pm
Workshop Series:
- Workshop 1: Design Thinking and “Is the system broken?” with Lauren Cipriano and Valuing Creativity with Colin McDougall - February 5, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Workshop 2: Systems Thinking with Jury Gualandris & Ju Young Lee - February 13, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Workshop 3: Feedback Round and How to Pitch - February 26, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Proposals Due: March 1, 2024, by 12:00 Noon
Western Semi-Finals: March 13, 2024
President’s Challenge Final and Showcase in Toronto: April 5, 2024