Congratulations to Fiyinfoluwa Adeyemi, a final-year BA Communication & Media student, for securing first place in the EDI Business Challenge, sponsored by the Microsoft EMBRACE Network.
The EDI Business Challenge is a national competition centered around a live business scenario, where teams of five students collaborate to create solutions and apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
We spoke with Fiyin after her victory to learn more about her experience:
“Taking part in the Everything D & I (EDI) business challenge, sponsored by Microsoft, was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my university life.
It all started with the Microsoft EMBRACE Mentoring Technology Program, which pairs students with mentors from Microsoft based on their career goals and current studies. I was incredibly lucky to be paired with the communication adviser to the CEO of Microsoft UK. This mentorship was a game-changer for me.
Inspired and motivated by my mentor, I decided to enter the EDI business challenge. As the only student from the University of Liverpool, I joined a team with students from other UK universities. Our first task was to come up with a tech solution to help people who have been forcibly displaced and present it to Microsoft senior leaders. Our idea impressed the judges, and we moved on to the semi-finals.
In the semi-final round, we tackled a new challenge: using technology to strengthen customer relationships and increase lifetime value for Burberry. Presenting our solution to Burberry senior leaders was nerve-wracking, but our hard work paid off, and we made it to the final round—one of only five teams out of fifteen to do so.
The finale was intense. We had just 24 hours to come up with a solution on how ‘Copilot for Microsoft 365’ could create a more inclusive workplace. It was a whirlwind of brainstorming and collaboration, but we managed to pull it off. When the judges announced that our team, Team 16, had won the EDI Business Challenge 2024, I was over the moon.
This experience taught me so much. It boosted my confidence and helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. Working with such talented people showed me the power of teamwork and innovation. Even though we never met in person, my teammates and I formed a strong bond.
Winning the EDI Business Challenge has opened up new opportunities for me and given me a growth mindset. I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to meaningful projects and for the incredible support from my mentor and teammates.
This journey has been a major milestone in my career, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.”
Get involved
Everything D&I (EDI) connects employers with students from diverse backgrounds with a focus on students from African, Caribbean and Asian heritage – including those from lower socio-economic groups and first generation into Higher Education. EDI provides a bridge between companies and diverse talent.