Students win Monash University Change it Challenge India 2026 Competition with Sustainable Prosthetics Innovation

New Delhi, Apr 21(BNP):  A team of three high school students from Mallya Aditi International School have been crowned 2026 winners of Monash University’s Change it Challenge in India, hosted by Nahar International School in Mumbai over the weekend.

Vidushee, Shravya and Shloka from Mallya Aditi International School, Bengaluru, impressed judges with their presentation on converting plastic waste into affordable, high-quality prosthetics. Their innovative solution combines bagasse – dry, fibrous residue left over after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice – and basalt from stone crushing with recycled plastics, creating a high performance composite, stronger than many fiber glass materials, yet drastically cheaper and recyclable.

The reward for the winners - one of nine finalist teams competing - is a trip to Melbourne, Australia, where they will compete against other winning teams from across the globe in the Monash University Change it Challenge finale event in August 2026.

Vidushee, Shravya and Shloka left the Indian finals with a strengthened belief that young innovators can drive meaningful change on global challenges like sustainability and accessibility.

“We’ve developed a novel approach to rethinking prosthetics, and the opportunity to present it on a global stage is something we had never imagined at the start of this journey,” they said. “Being supported by Monash has made this experience even more impactful, and we’re incredibly excited to take our work to Australia, engage with a global community, and continue growing as innovators and changemakers.”

The Change It Challenge is a global competition engaging teams of high school students to create practical, innovative ideas that bring meaningful change in the world, and inspire others to join them. Teams were encouraged to apply education, research, innovation and cultural transformation in their presentations to drive positive global impact falling under a key challenge of our age: climate change, geopolitical security or thriving communities.

The teams presented to a panel of judges including Jenny McHendrie, Director of International Student Recruitment for Monash University Australia; Alphonsa Pakiam, Head of South Asia and Western Europe International Student Recruitment for Monash University Australia; and Abizer Merchant, Monash alumnus and Director (India and Sri Lanka) at Macquarie University in Sydney.

Jenny McHendrie reflected on how the leadership and creativity shown by the participants ties into what universities like Monash are looking for in prospective students.

“The calibre of ideas and leadership shown by these students is truly inspiring,” she said.

“Through this competition, they’ve demonstrated qualities we value deeply at Monash University, such as initiative, empathy, critical thinking and a genuine commitment to improving their communities.

“This event gives young people a chance to showcase global thinking in their local context. As a university, our role is to nurture exactly this mindset – to support students in turning purpose into action, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, perspectives and confidence to create lasting impact, wherever they choose to lead.”

Runners up from the competition were:

• 1st runner up - Vani, Niharika and Sunehra from Podar International School, Mumbai
• 2nd runner up - Thanav, Harish and Avaith from The Indian Public School, Coimbatore
• 3rd runner up - Ansh, Bhavya and Aanya from Indus International School, Hyderabad

The 2026 Change it Challenge finalists from Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and Sri Lanka have already been decided, with China and Cambodia rounds to take place shortly.