Real-World Sustainability Challenge Spurs Student Innovation, Leadership, and Career Growth
Earlier this year, students on the MSc International Business and Management (IBM) course at University of Portsmouth London partnered with the London Borough of Waltham Forest Council to explore how local commercial buildings could be decarbonised by 2030. As part of this collaboration, students were invited to the Council, where Councillor Paul Douglas presented each of them with a certificate and a £50 voucher in recognition of their work. Each team of students worked collaboratively to propose sustainable, practical solutions that could support the borough’s climate action goals – and now, we’re excited to share the story of the winning team.
We sat down with Ankita, Sithy, Hruthik, Anvesh, and Yasin- the five students who led the winning proposal to learn more about their journey, what the experience meant to them, and how it’s helped shape their personal and professional development.
A Project with Purpose
The team shared how they approached the live project as more than just coursework.
It wasn’t just about the grades- we really wanted to win, not just competitively, but because it felt important. live locally in the London Borough of Waltham Forest and have solar panels on my roof- you can see energy solutions are really important for this borough.
Their project focused on innovative, practical solutions to improve energy efficiency in Waltham Forest’s commercial assets. They carried out in-depth comparative research, looking at how other London boroughs were approaching sustainability. They also attended exhibitions on solar panel technology and actively sought international case studies to bring a global lens to a local issue.
Throughout the project, the team was supported by academic staff who helped them stay grounded in both theoretical frameworks and practical application.
Our teamwork played a key role in winning this project. Each team member actively contributed to their assigned tasks, and the collaboration and support among us made a real difference
Learning Through Leadership
Each team member brought a different strength to the table. Ankita stepped into the role of project manager for the first time and described the experience as transformational.
"The module is designed in such a way that we regularly present in groups during our sessions, which helped me gain the confidence to present in front of borough members. I can now easily share my ideas, and this experience has enhanced my CV."
Sithy, who acted as the financial lead, brought experience from her MBA background- and a personal connection to the project with living locally, too.
Hruthik, Anvesh, and Yasin played key roles in research, strategy, and reporting. Their teamwork, communication, and shared commitment to a meaningful outcome stood out as a central reason for their success.
From Theory to Practice - and Into the Future
When asked how the project helped bridge academic learning with real-world application, the team lit up. “We’d done a lot of work on corporate strategy and research methods in earlier modules,” explained Sithy. “This brought it all together. We had to use everything we’d learned and apply it to something real.”
The win has already started to open doors. Sithy regained the confidence to attend a recent job interview in pursuit of a career promotion as Senior Finance Officer.
Ankita, set to complete the course in September, believes this experience will give her a competitive edge when applying for jobs in the sustainability and business strategy space.
“I’m finishing my course soon and about to start applying for jobs. I know this experience is going to make an impact,” said Ankita.
Reflecting on the Experience
What stuck with them most was not only the practical skills gained, but the quality of the learning experience at UoP London.
The teaching here is special, industry experts are brought in, real projects are part of the curriculum- it’s a beautiful way of learning.
Some of the winning team members already held previous qualifications, including an MBA, before enrolling at UoP London. But they agreed: this course brought a new level of engagement, connection, and relevance to their professional ambitions.
We’re incredibly proud of all the student teams who participated- and especially this winning group, whose passion, professionalism, and perseverance truly stood out.
If you're interested in how the MSc International Business and Management course at UoP London blends academic theory with real-world impact, find out more here.