a trophy, 3,000 pounds (about INR 3,00,000) fund prize, and the chance to advance their inventions in connection with partners and mentors throughout the Commonwealth nations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaif Ali created SpaceEra, a prefabricated sustainable shelter that would not only assist minimize viral transmission but could also serve as housing for refugees to accommodate them in times of need.
Jamia Millia Islamia lauded Kaif for his innovative work. Its official statement said, “Kaif has invented low-cost portable housing for COVID-19 quarantine and shelter from extreme weather conditions like earthquakes and flooding. His design has been recognised by the UN under the top 11 emerging innovation start-ups solving climate challenges”.
Prof Najma Akhtar, JMI Vice-Chancellor, appreciated Mr Ali for his success. He expressed pride over his accomplishment and for earning credit to the university. He said, “We expect that it will motivate other students of the university to work hard, think out of the box to get noticed and contribute to nation-building”.
Following his success, Mr Ali expressed delight over winning the award. He said, “Winning the Commonwealth Innovation Award lifts my confidence to a greater level and motivates me to work even harder than yesterday and innovate unprecedented solutions to achieve a sustainable future. I pledge to become the voice of the youth transforming the Commonwealth and to Be the Change”.
Mr Ali also intends to coach grass-roots innovators in order to broaden their knowledge and inspire them to work on social and environmental concerns. He revealed his future plans. He said, “In the upcoming year, I wish to pursue a Masters in Architecture and harness my future career towards STEM innovations and youth leadership in the multilateral domain. I aim to devote my career towards the well-being of the mass”.
Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General, commended the varied lineup of change-makers during a virtual conference in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26. She said, “Over many decades, the people of the Commonwealth member nations, through the Commonwealth networks which connect us and encourage us to work together, have found pioneering ways of overcoming daunting challenges and of solving seemingly intractable problems.”
