The Turkmen-Rhode Green Team’s Journey at the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition
In November 2024, our team, the Turkmen-Rhode Green Team, had the privilege of participation in Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition. The Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition brings together talented students from around the world to address important sustainability challenges in global supply chains, with a focus on contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative offers participants the opportunity to apply academic knowledge while engaging in cross-cultural collaboration and creative problem-solving. Teams work on real-world case studies provided by businesses facing supply chain difficulties, aiming to develop innovative, scalable solutions that integrate sustainability into their operations. The competition emphasizes finding solutions that are not only locally practical but also impactful on a global scale.
At its core, the competition seeks to promote the idea that supply chains, a fundamental aspect of global trade, need to work on the environmental, social, and economic challenges. By engaging with these issues, participants are encouraged to consider how supply chain processes can contribute to the realization of the SDGs, a vital framework for shaping a better and more sustainable world. The competition also provides an opportunity for students to develop their research, analytical, and presentation skills, while offering invaluable networking opportunities with peers and professionals in the field.
The competition unfolds over three key rounds. In the first round, teams submit a written proposal outlining their innovative solution to the selected case. This written submission is the initial step in demonstrating the team’s understanding of the problem and presenting a clear, actionable solution. The second round involves team presentations, where the most innovative teams are invited to present their ideas to a panel of expert judges. Finally, the competition reaches in the third and final round, where the top teams compete for the grand prize. The competition, attended by multiple regions, including Africa and the Middle East, America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
Our team, the Turkmen-Rhode Green Team, was consisted of four passionate and dedicated students: Colin Smith and Thomas Mason from the University of Rhode Island in the United States, and myself, Yupar Egirjayeva, alongside my teammate Ayjahan Gulhanova from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. With our diverse backgrounds, our team represented both the Americas and the Asia-Pacific regions, a collaboration that was not only intellectually enriching but also culturally insightful.
Additionally, on November 27, 2024, Ayjahan Gulhanova, a member of our team, had the honor of attending «International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development – 2024» the second ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of Sustainable Transport in Ashgabat, where she shared insights from the competition and contributed to discussions on sustainable transport, reinforcing our commitment to global sustainability efforts.
Our team had expert guidance and support throughout the competition. We were mentored by two distinguished advisers: Professor Koray Ozpolat, a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Rhode Island, USA, and Gaplan Esenamanov, a Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Their guidance was invaluable, providing us with important insights into supply chain management, sustainability, and the research methods that would form the foundation of our solution.
After weeks of hard work, we were excited to reach the second round of presentations, where we demonstrated our innovative solution to the judges. The experience of presenting our solution to an esteemed panel of judges was both honor and inspiring. Additionally, our team was honored to receive a Certificate of Participation, a recognition of our dedication, creativity, and commitment to sustainability.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our advisers, Professor Koray Ozpolat and Gaplan Esenamanov, for their invaluable mentorship throughout the competition. Their support was important in guiding our team to success. Also, many thanks to the organizers, judges, and fellow participants for making this competition a truly memorable experience.
In this regard, we would like to express the deepest gratitude to the Hero Arkadag and the Esteemed President for the wide opportunities that give us to participate in such highly organized contests, to reveal our talent, and to get modern education! We wish the Hero Arkadag and the Arkadagly Hero Serdar sound health, long life, and success in their work aimed at the well-being of the people and humanity! We look forward to continuing our journey in sustainability and supply chain management, knowing that the future is bright for those who seek to innovate, collaborate, and make a difference!
Yupar EGIRJAYEVA,
IV year student of the Faculty of International Economic Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan,
Young Ambassador of the Sustainable Development Goals.