Better Business / Member news
Fourth consecutive victory for UWE Bristol students at national competition
Students from UWE Bristol have won a national optometry competition for the fourth consecutive year.
A team of undergraduates were crowned overall winners of the Optoversity Challenge 2026, the only inter-university competition of its kind across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The event, which raises funds for Vision Care for Homeless People, saw 83 students from 13 universities take part as it marked its 10th year.
Sixteen UWE Bristol students competed across both online and in-person rounds.
Students from UWE Bristol have won a national optometry competition for the fourth consecutive yea
Eight first and second-year students took part in the virtual contest, while eight third-year students formed two teams – the Eyeconic Warriors and the Iris-Istables – competing in a live event in Thornbury.
Participants were tested through clinically focused scenarios reflecting real-world optometric practice, alongside fundraising efforts to support the charity’s work delivering eye care to people experiencing homelessness.
Among the individual successes, Aniqa Akhter and Jessica Noyce received gold awards, while Helen Hawkins won a silver prize after raising £511.
The competition raised more than £9,000 this year, bringing the total raised over the past decade to over £62,000 to support Vision Care’s clinics and outreach work.
Krishna Ravikumar, senior lecturer in optometry at UWE Bristol, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our students for securing a fourth consecutive win at the Optoversity Challenge.
“Their enthusiasm, clinical ability and commitment to supporting Vision Care for Homeless People shone throughout both the online and in-person events.
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“This achievement reflects not only their hard work but also the collaborative, compassionate spirit that defines our optometry community at UWE Bristol.”
Gajan Singh, from Out of the Box Optics, which hosts the competition, added: “The Out of the Box team are delighted with the success of this year’s event.
“Volunteers worked incredibly hard to ensure everything ran smoothly, while students gained valuable clinical experience, networking opportunities and insight into the profession.”
All photos: UWE Bristol
UWE Bristol is a member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business
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