GIIS SMART Campus hosted its 12th edition of the annual event, Real World Challenges Convention, on December 6, 2023. This grand assembly brought together participants from various schools under the Global Schools Foundation, attracting an impressive turnout of 800 students. The event served as a celebration of students' boundless creativity, expressed through diverse mediums such as art, essays, speeches, debates, and multimedia presentations.

RWCC 2023 provided students with a platform to showcase their skills in 16 competitions, with participation from campuses including GIIS Whitefield, GIIS Hyderabad, GIIS Abu Dhabi, GIIS Dubai, GIIS Kuala Lumpur, GIIS Noida, GIIS Bannerghatta, GIIS Hadapsar, GIIS Tokyo, GIIS Balewadi, GIIS Ahmedabad, GIIS East Coast, Domuschola International School Philippines, Vikasa World School Madurai, Chinese International School Manila, OWIS, Regent Kuantan, Regent Klang, Witty International, and Glendale International School.

The overarching theme for this year's event was "Hope 2030," symbolising opportunity, possibility, and equality for a greener, safer, and happier world. Crafted to weave together the threads of Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship among students, the event envisioned a sustainable future as we progress towards 2050.

This year's competitions were grouped into three major themes – Opportunities for a greener world, Possibilities for a safer world, and Equality for a happier world. Participation spanned from kindergarten to secondary, fostering inclusivity and celebrating ingenious ideas from even the youngest minds.

Competitions under the theme 'Opportunities for a greener world' included Quality Circle Presentations, Green message through puppet play, A valuable Bond, Lil Mavericks, and Smart Strokes for Young Folks. 'Possibilities for a safer world' featured Transformational Turncoat, Perspective matters, Innovative Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship Challenge, App-novation, and WellnessWave. The events under 'Equality for a happier world' included An Opus for HOPE, Live it- Click it – Share it, Transformational Turncoat and Perspective matters for Secondary, Student Conference, An Educator's Perspective, and Thought Leadership through Storytelling.

The event kicked off with an exuberant performance by Middle School students, presenting a multi-racial performance that seamlessly blended Chinese, Malay, and Indian dances, reinforcing the theme of equality and diversity. The subsequent segments featured engaging opening addresses from SMART Campus Principal, Ms Melissa Maria, and COO, Mr Rajeev Katyal, Global Schools Foundation, followed by the formal address from the Guest of Honour, Mr Rahul Deshpande, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Global Schools Foundation.

After the felicitation of the judges, they dispersed to their respective venues for Quality Circle, Conference, and Turncoat events. The symphony of the convention resumed as it embarked on different competitions judged by seasoned judges.

The intellectual battleground of the day, 'Transformation Turncoat,' required participants to present persuasive arguments for and against a given topic, testing the astute judgments of Ms. Arati Mhatre and Ms. Sangamitra Gupta. The contestants' exceptional eloquence and persuasiveness made the selection an arduous task.

'Student Conference,' judged by Mr Louis Lim and Ms Shilpa Krishnan, showcased speakers articulating their thoughts on the theme, creating a discourse of great minds contributing harmonious ideas defining their goals. Quality Circle presentations, judged by Mr Samuel Tan Tio Hai, Mr Tang Teck Chye, and Ms Dorothy Chew, demonstrated meticulous craftsmanship and collaborative team effort in presenting not just problems but also plausible solutions. Their commitment to excellence was commendable, taking the audience through the corridors of problem-solving, innovation, and dedication to continuous improvement.

The pinnacle of the event materialised in the Valedictory ceremony, where a myriad of awards served as a testament to the tapestry of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, weaving a narrative for a sustainable future. The event concluded with the declaration of the winning champions, with GIIS Whitefield securing the runners-up trophy and GIIS East Coast Campus declared as the ultimate champions, securing the first position with immense pride.