A global problem, close to home: MUI team wins 2nd place in U of T’s Global Learning Case Competition
“Education is undeniably one of the strongest factors to upward mobility... building a better life for yourself, and helping your nearby community,” says Katya Bhada. Bhada, a student in IMI’s Master of Urban Innovation (MUI) program, finds the inspiration to make communities locally & globally better, particularly with respect to education and the hurdles faced by those close to her. This passion led her to team up with fellow MUI classmate Thuan Truong, as well as Sreelakshmi Haridos (National University of Singapore) and Thomas Teale (University of Leeds) to tackle the U of T 2025 Global Learning Case Competition.
Given its global nature, Bhada and Truong were particularly drawn to this year’s challenge and its emphasis on considering diverse perspectives on issues around the world: “What stood out to me about this competition was its international nature and the chance to collaborate with participants from diverse backgrounds,” Truong says. “This year’s theme resonated with me because it highlights the importance of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no one faces barriers when pursuing education.” Notably, the competition required the duo to explore how digital technology can improve accessibility to education.
At the opening kickoff, keynote speaker Dr. Jude Kong sparked ideas in the team: he “shared amazing insights,” says Bhada, “about how AI is already helping people in remote areas by supporting both teachers and students. Hearing this made us instantly think about how AI could be a key tool in bridging the education gap.”
The team elected to focus on Gaza, particularly the issues with infrastructure and impact on higher education. They found an existing organization connected to a Gazan university and set about exploring how AI could be integrated into this framework. “By collaborating with an established organization that has a strong connection to the region, we could ensure that the solution was cost-friendly and effectively met the needs of the local population,” says Bhada.
Ultimately, their solution, which garnered second place, was inspired. "A key breakthrough," Bhada continues, “came when we discovered that a small language AI model could be trained to support students’ learning without requiring internet access – an essential factor, given the region’s limited connectivity.” Their proposed solution included a chatbot able to solve communication challenges by offering academic support and automated grading, thereby assisting both students and instructors alike.
Both MUI members credit team communication as one of the most critical parts of their experience and outcome. Truong echoes the team’s openness: “Communication was the greatest strength of our team. Everyone was able to share their ideas openly and listen actively to each other, allowing us to move quickly during the initial brainstorming session. I believe this was the most important factor that contributed to our success and ultimately helped us secure second place in the competition.”
For future students interested in MUI and other grad programs, Bhada encourages participation in events like the Global Learning Case Competition and other similar opportunities. “Think about all the valuable lessons you’ll gain,” she says. “While recognition for your effort is validating, the true benefits often show up later, helping you develop bigger and better ideas as you grow professionally.”
