Pictured: The top three winning designs demonstrated creativity, originality, uniqueness, functionality, and convenience of the cup.

The first cup, a true marvel of design, features two holders. The first holder is dual-purpose, ingeniously accommodating either sugar or a spoon. Meanwhile, the second holder is adaptable, with ample space for snacks or additional sugar. Moreover, the cup's bottom serves a dual function, cleverly doubling as a compartment for storing cookies, thereby enhancing the user's coffee-drinking experience with its practicality and efficiency.

The second cup focuses on portability and adaptability. This tiny design, which has a built-in spoon, is convenient to use while on the go. The spoon has various purposes, including a frothier for mixing ingredients and a straw/rim for sipping coffee, delivering a consistent and delightful coffee experience wherever the user is.

On 07 May 2024, the Idea Gym hosted an Innovation Challenge for engineering students. In this challenge, students were tasked with designing a coffee mug on the move using CAD Fusion 360 with a unique feature and building a brick in which the stone component was replaced with a material sourced from repurposed materials to enhance strength. The designs were judged based on creativity, uniqueness, and convenience of the cup. Winners were selected by a panel of 4 judges. This event is just one example of how CUT prepares its students for the challenges of the modern world.

“The university is a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurship. Through iGym, we promote a culture of creativity and business insight among our students. Most importantly, we encourage practical skills and creativity among students to prepare them for the challenges of the 21^st century, said Dr Izabeth Conradie, Director in the iGym.

The challenge not only highlights the university's commitment to nurturing innovative thinking but also provides a platform for students to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial spirit.

Only the top 3 designs and inventions were selected from the nine participating groups. These winning designs not only showcased the students' ingenuity and ability to think outside the box but also presented new techniques and the use of modern technology.

The competition was won by a group of exceptional Civil Engineering students: Corbin Smit, Christo-Charl Cromhout, Asaph Norman, and Dr Michelle Erasmus. 

In second place were the brilliant Electrical Engineering students Koena Lehloba, Shania Chipurura, and Thabiso Lebambo.

And in close third place, we had another group of talented Electrical Engineering students: Bridgette Modibedi, Mojaki Mohlakoane, and Lesedi Seekoei. Their achievements are a testament to the university's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.