Faculty of Arts and Design Wins the Bernhard H. Mayer Open Innovation Challenge

In a monumental celebration of creativity, purpose, and academic excellence, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) proudly announces that its Faculty of Arts and Design has clinched first place in the prestigious regional Bernhard H. Mayer Open Innovation Challenge.

The Swiss luxury brand Bernhard H. Mayer—celebrated worldwide for its master craftsmanship since 1871—launched the challenge across the Middle East and North Africa to invite visionary young designers to conceptualize an exclusive timepiece for Pink October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Rising above intense regional competition, MSA University students demonstrated the profound strength of Egyptian creative talent by turning artistry into a powerful universal message of empathy, hope, and social impact.

Commenting on this extraordinary milestone, Prof. Dr. Tarek Saleh Said, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at MSA University, emphasized the critical role of authentic industry integration:

“For our students, this collaboration is far more than a design exercise; it offers a chance to connect creative thinking with a cause that matters and experience how design can carry a message of empathy and hope. We are proud to see Egyptian creativity join a regional dialogue led by such an inspiring brand.”

Highlighting the academic and pedagogical philosophy behind this victory, Prof. Dr. Tarek Saleh Said further elaborated:

“University education provides the fundamental theoretical knowledge and creative methodology necessary for growth, but authentic industry challenges bridge the gap by operationalizing that knowledge into practical frameworks. When students actively navigate a live industry brief, they cultivate the critical capacity to manage real-world constraints, synthesize diverse stakeholder perspectives, and engineer solutions optimized for contexts extending far beyond the traditional academic ecosystem. This experiential learning model fundamentally accelerates professional self-efficacy, fortifies psychological resilience, and engenders a sophisticated comprehension of contemporary global industry standards.”

The triumph serves as a powerful testament to the vibrant intellectual capital embedded within Egypt’s design community, proving that higher education institutions can successfully act as catalysts bridging emerging youth talent, industrial excellence, and enduring social progress.