Sustainability is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and addressing it requires innovative approaches. Learning about circularity empowers students to work collaboratively on solving critical issues such as pollution, resource scarcity, and climate change. Future professionals will play a vital role in designing the technologies and infrastructures that will shape a more sustainable world.
In line with this mission, the CircularTech Summer School was created by ZHAW to equip students with the knowledge and skills to drive these changes. This July, Akhtankyzy Gaukhar traveled from Budapest to Winterthur, becoming the first BME student to attend the Swiss institution through the EELISA program, marking an exciting step in cross-institutional collaboration for sustainability education.
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve successfully completed two intensive weeks at the Circular Tech Summer School hosted by ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. This experience has been incredibly enriching, both academically and professionally. Throughout the program, I gained in-depth knowledge in business modeling, honing my skills in market analysis, interviewing techniques, and strategic planning. It was my first time working with the Value Proposition Canvas and Business Model Canvas, tools that proved invaluable in translating innovative ideas into practical business solutions.
Our team had the exciting opportunity to develop a prototype for a super app named ReLoop. This app, designed for the Zurich market, integrates five essential features: a barcode recycling type identifier, weekly challenges and a reward system to incentivize sustainable behavior, educational games to raise awareness about circular economy principles, and an integrated map function for navigating recycling facilities. I contributed my knowledge in waste management and infrastructure planning, which helped our team shape the project effectively.
I’m incredibly grateful to my talented teammates, Giulia Maria Eggli, Gianluca Perucchini, Ribi Gephel, and Jameson Sellathurai, whose collaboration made this project a success. I also want to extend a special thanks to the organizers, Martina Hefele, Helen Vogt, and Prof. Dr. Rainer Fuchs, for their guidance and for making this experience so memorable. Additionally, I appreciate the warm welcome and city tour of Zurich—it was a wonderful experience to explore such a vibrant city!
Looking ahead, I am eager to apply the insights I’ve gained and to further my journey in the fields of circular economy and sustainability. This experience has not only broadened my knowledge but also fueled my passion for creating innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. Thank you to everyone involved in making this experience so impactful!
Gaukhar Akhtankyzy
Civil Engineering Student at BME
More about Gaukhar
Gaukhar Akhtankyzy, 21, is currently in her fourth year of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). Originally from Kazakhstan, Gaukhar is a proud recipient of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. Her focus is on the infrastructure branch of civil engineering, which integrates environmental considerations. She is particularly keen on addressing modern infrastructure challenges through environmentally conscious solutions, and is now preparing to pursue a master’s degree that will allow her to specialize further in this area, with the ultimate goal of contributing to sustainable infrastructure projects on a global scale.