Redbridge College pupils in the running to win London-wide young entrepreneur competition
Redbridge College students Kiran Riaz, Mahfuz Choudry and Shafin Hussain are competing in this year's Big Idea Challenge, run by London Metropolitan University. - Credit: Archant
Pupils from Redbridge are hoping an invention that allows people to instantly understand foreign languages could scoop them a London-wide prize.
Students Kiran Riaz, Mahfuz Choudry and Shafin Hussain, from Redbridge College, in Barley Lane, Chadwell Heath, are hoping they could claim the top prize in this year’s Big Idea Challenge.
Their hopes for the coveted prize centre their own invention, Speak To Me, an automated translation device that would allow customers to have languages translated in real-time while they’re on holiday.
Kiran said: “We came up with the device based on our own experiences of going on holiday and finding it difficult to understand the language.
“Working on Speak to Me has been a real team effort, we’ve put all our ideas together.”
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And the youngster also praised the social aspect of getting to meet members from other schools who are also keen to have their big ideas brought to life at a special boot camp event in central London.
At Natwest’s Liverpool Street headquarters, teenagers from 18 colleges across London, were paired with mentors from global companies such as Microsoft, Nike and Unilever.
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“Meeting the other teams has been really interesting and we’ve really enjoyed the activities,” said Kiran.
“It’s been so energetic!”
Siobhan Clouter, who teaches at Redbridge College, claimed the competition also gives teenagers a chance to challenge themselves.
She said: “Redbridge College students are thrilled to be involved in the Big Idea Challenge again this year.
“This is a great opportunity for students to be innovative and take a business idea to the next level.
“We have found that project such as this improve our student’s employability skills as well as compliment the learning experience.”
After the budding entrepreneurs have fully developed their ideas, a panel of judges will pick the very best, which will then go through to a public vote.
