INNOVATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM SCOOPS ENGINEERING PRIZE

A York man who has designed a new communication system which can help during humanitarian crises has won £1,500 innovation prize to help take his idea to the next level.

Global Anthem was developed by York St John University student Richard Holmes in partnership with Kyiv National University of Design and The Kyiv National University of Culture and Art.

The zero technology communication system bridges language barriers, particularly for displaced individuals and frontline support workers.

Global Anthem uses natural and intuitive hand gestures that transcend language and culture. It comprises 36 easy-to-use flashcards in a self-contained pack, featuring non-specific gender and race illustrations, along with target words printed in five languages. There’s even space to write the word in any language, making is adaptable to various contexts.

Richard, 52, was named as Runner-up in the Startup category at the Engineering in Business Champion of Champions grand final at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 3 November.

Richard said: “I don’t feel like a runner up, I feel like I have won silver at the Olympics. This has been a learning experience that has allowed me to put Global Anthem on stage at the Royal Academy of Engineers and present to the world. I thank all those involved at the Engineers in Business, not for the award or the funding, but for the opportunity and experience.

“As a support worker with Refugee Action, I witnessed the desperate need for displaced people to communicate with support services without language barriers. The Global-Anthem system has been designed to overcome various communication difficulties, notably conveying basic needs on initial arrival, processing, and re-housing. The principle can be extended into the broader humanitarian and educational sectors and has the potential for wide adoption due to its simplicity.”

The event, which was hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, was the culmination of a year of enterprise competitions held across UK universities, with thousands of undergraduate and graduates taking part.

Each year, Engineers in Business Fellowship champions business education for engineers and supports universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering students who develop ideas that can make a positive impact on society.