RGU Students Achieve National Success at UNIFORCE Scotland Awards
Monday 09 March 2026
UNIFORCE Scotland is a student-led initiative that brought together over 60 students across five Scottish universities. The programme encouraged students to work collaboratively on live, sustainability-focused projects aligned with Net Zero priorities, community impact, and employability.
The Students’ Union played a significant role throughout the initiative, from the planning stages through to delivery. Student Presidents Bryan Uyiosa Igbinigie and Mohtashim Iqbal E Waris served as UNIFORCE Coordinators representing RGU, working closely with colleagues from partner institutions.
RGU students demonstrated strong engagement throughout the three months of the project, culminating in the final showcase and awards ceremony held at Edinburgh Napier University.
Blink & Bling won first place with their project Try Before You Buy. Their concept centred around a virtual jewellery experience using digital technology to help customers explore designs before committing to purchase.
Team member Usman Ali said:
“With Blink & Bling, we wanted to redefine how people experience jewellery. By helping customers explore designs digitally first, we reduce unnecessary samples, returns, and waste, while keeping the emotional side of jewellery intact. For me, sustainability is also about long term trust between customers and brands.”
His teammate Akash Singh Panwar added:
“From a technical perspective, Blink & Bling is about building a full workflow. This goes from a customer’s idea to AI generated concepts, refined 2D/3D models, and finally towards production. The UNIFORCE experience gave us a rare chance to test this pipeline with real stakeholders and align the technology with real world sustainability and business outcomes.”
RGU’s FABH Solutions team was also recognised at the UNIFORCE Awards, finishing third with their project Turning Waste into Welfare.
Both projects highlighted students’ creativity, practical application of skills, and commitment to generating solutions with meaningful environmental and societal impact.
Speaking on behalf of RGU Students’ Union, UNIFORCE Coordinator Bryan Uyiosa Igbinigie said:
“As a student-led initiative, UNIFORCE Scotland demonstrates the power of collaboration between students, unions, and universities. It shows what’s possible when students are trusted to lead. We’re incredibly proud of our RGU students for delivering innovative, real world solutions and representing the University so strongly on a national stage.”
RGU’s involvement was further strengthened by the contributions of three RGU jury members who supported the initiative throughout its duration:
- Ibiye Iyalla, Associate Dean, School of Computing, Engineering and Technology
- Nancy Kennils, Sustainability Manager
- Kemi Odunsi Ujiagbe, Head of KAIM Shop
Their expertise and guidance provided essential insight for students as they developed and refined their project proposals.
The success of RGU students at the UNIFORCE Scotland finale highlights the University’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainability, innovation, and real world learning opportunities. By participating in cross institutional initiatives, students gain valuable experience working on complex challenges, collaborating across disciplines, and engaging with industry and academic stakeholders.
The achievements of teams Blink & Bling and FABH Solutions reflect the creativity, determination, and leadership of RGU students, and their contribution to shaping a more sustainable future.