San Diego, May 06 (V7N) — Bangladeshi student Sajidan Rafsan has secured first place at the prestigious Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge held at the University of California, San Diego.

Currently a student at St. Olaf College, Rafsan was awarded a prize of $25,000 for his innovative solution addressing real-world challenges.

The competition saw participation from thousands of students representing more than 25 countries, all presenting ideas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Rafsan developed a prosthetic device through his initiative “Apex Stride,” designed specifically for low-resource and climate-sensitive regions in South Asia. The device is built to withstand humidity, water exposure, and uneven terrain—common environmental challenges in the region.

Speaking about his project, Rafsan said the prosthetic emphasizes long-term usability and maintenance, offering a sustainable alternative to one-time support solutions.

The awards were presented by American entrepreneur and philanthropist Ron Fowler at the ceremony.

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