HELD UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY ABDEL FATTAH EL SISI, PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

17 - 19 FEBRUARY 2025

EGYPT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER

17 - 19 FEBRUARY 2025

EGYPT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER

BUILDING A SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE

FUELING THE FUTURE WITH SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

The Shell NXplorers Challenge is designed to empower university students to look at global complexities in a new way and craft groundbreaking solutions for a sustainable energy future. This competition challenges participants to tackle critical issues addressing the key themes on affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

At the core of this challenge is NXthinking, a transformative problem-solving methodology that equips students with the skills to navigate complex global issues. By promoting systems thinking, exploring scenario planning, and adopting the theory of change, NXthinking empowers participants to think beyond the ordinary and approach sustainability from fresh, innovative perspectives. The core of NXthinking encourages participants to interpret what they see from their own perspective, understand how the world works, uncover how disconnected things are connected, and altering the future to bring about positive change.

NX METHODOLOGIES

Challenges
THE BIG PICTURE
THE BIG PICTURE

Rather than isolating specific problems, participants will be taught to perceive the real world as a set of natural and man-made systems and complex networks of interacting variables. This approach will aid them in grasping the broader picture of energy systems and sustainability.

INNOVATE AND CREATE
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES

Each of us interprets the world through a personal lens, shaped by culture, social norms, experiences, and interests. Recognising that everyone sees things uniquely helps us deepen self-awareness and empathy. This perspective equips participants to tackle energy challenges from diverse angles—technical, economic, social, and environmental—leading to a more comprehensive understanding and fostering innovative solutions that address the full range of factors involved.

SHAPE TOM LANDSCAPE
THE FUTURE
THE FUTURE

Participants will be trained to go beyond just thinking ahead. NXthinking appreciates that the
future is not fixed and there are many possible futures that we can craft and play a part in together. By anticipating future challenges and opportunities, participants will use scenario planning to envision a preferred future so that they can start making better decisions today. This future-focused mindset is essential for creating solutions that can stand the test of time.

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CONNECTIONS
CONNECTIONS

An essential pillar of NXthinking is the understanding that everything is interconnected, interrelated, and interdependent. Participants will look at many different types of relationships, including complex causal relationships, consequences and the different types of feedback loops. This will allow them to see the intricate connections between various components of an energy challenge.

SKILLS
CHANGE
CHANGE

Positive change starts within each of us. Whatever change we hope to bring about it is useful to think about our theory of change, namely why we think what we do will work. Having tools to support thoughtful decision making, effective action-planning and the persuasive communication of ideas is really helpful. Participants won’t just solve problems, but rather become catalysts for meaningful change and drive transformation within the energy sector. By deeply understanding the systems, connections, and future implications of their innovations, they’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible and shape a more sustainable world.

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY

  • Student Status: Participants must be enrolled as undergraduate students between aged 18 – 23 years at a recognized educational institution in Egypt at the time of registration.​​

  • Multi-Disciplinary Teams: Participants are encouraged to collaborate across diverse disciplines to foster a well-rounded approach to problem-solving. Students specializing in the following fields are especially invited to apply:​
    • ​Engineering​
    • Information and Communication Technologies​
    • Business, Finance & Economics​
    • Geosciences/Environmental Sciences​
  • Commitment: Participants are required to engage in all phases of the competition, including regular progress updates and final presentations. Last-minute cancellations, no-shows, or withdrawals may result in disqualification from future program opportunities.​

  • Registration: Participants must complete the online registration process, including submission of the Terms of References in agreement to the competition' rules and guidelines.​

  • Abstract Submission: Participants must submit a one-paragraph abstract outlining a problem they aim to solve. The proposed solution should align with the core themes of ​clean and affordable energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action."​

  • Capacity Building and Mentorship: Shell may conduct additional workshops, trainings and mentorship programme to prepare the participants in the ​challenge and competition. ​

  • Workshop Attendance - To maximise the benefits of the Shell NXplorers program, it is essential that all applicants attend the three scheduled workshop days listed below.

    Missing any of these days will result in automatic disqualification.

    • Workshop Day 1: 26-January-2025
    • Workshop Day 2: 28-January-2025
    • Workshop Day 3: 30-January-2025

  • Judging Criteria: Teams will be evaluated on their application of NXthinking methodologies to explore, innovate, and drive change in addressing their problem statements.​ A select group of semi-finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at the EGYPES Young Professionals stand​.

  • Awards and Recognition: The top winning teams will be recognition during the event's closing ceremony. ​

BE PART OF EGYPES 2025