In an era defined by technological advancement and climate realities, young Pacific engineers are stepping forward as drivers of transformative change. Among them is Mrunmayi Badgujar, whose final-year project is reimagining how everyday actions such as drinking water can be enhanced through intelligent, sustainable design.
Her innovation, AquaSync, is a Smart Hydration Enhancement System (HyES) created to help individuals maintain healthy hydration habits effortlessly. Developed as part of her course unit project, AquaSync integrates mechanical engineering principles with electronic sensing and digital technology to deliver a user-friendly, eco-conscious solution.
At its core, AquaSync tracks a user’s water intake in real time, provides timely reminders to drink, and analyses hydration patterns to ensure individuals meet their daily hydration goals. Using smart sensors paired with an intuitive digital interface, the system generates personalised recommendations and encourages consistent, healthier routines.
The project is now moving from the prototype phase into refinement and real-world testing. Improvements are being made to the accuracy of the sensors, the data-logging system, and the overall robustness of the design for daily use.
Once these technical components are optimised, AquaSync will enter user-testing stages with potential users such as office workers and individuals who struggle with hydration. Feedback from these sessions will guide further design enhancements, increasing usability, reliability, and long-term durability.
The ultimate goal is to develop AquaSync into a fully functional product that can be scaled for real-world implementation, potentially in partnership with wellness organisations, educational institutions, and industry collaborators, to promote healthier hydration habits across communities.
“Studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of the South Pacific (USP) has empowered me to think beyond technical design and create solutions that are both smart and sustainable,” Mrunmayi shared.
Her commitment to social impact extends beyond academia. Mrunmayi became a G17 Ambassador for Fiji through a competitive application process that required candidates to demonstrate leadership, a commitment to sustainable development, and a clear vision for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Her selection was based on her strong academic background, active community involvement, and clear passion for sustainability.
In her ambassadorial role, she actively champions the UNSDGs, but her contributions go beyond advocacy. She organises and facilitates workshops, seminars, and outreach programmes across different sectors.
At USP, she supports capacity-building initiatives to empower students through innovation, leadership, and sustainability awareness. In the wider community, she participates in campaigns focused on climate action, youth empowerment, and gender equality, engaging directly in project implementation, event coordination, and youth mobilisation to ensure the SDGs are actively practiced within Fiji.
“Even the smallest ideas can create meaningful change when designed with empathy and intention,” she highlighted.
Mrunmayi credits USP’s practical learning environment for shaping her as both an engineer and a regional changemaker.
Through hands-on laboratory work, industry exposure, and collaborative projects, she has developed the creativity and resilience needed to address the Pacific’s unique challenges.
Prospective students can also turn their ideas into impact with USP’s School of Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics (STEMP). From Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering to Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, and Physics, STEMP offers hands-on learning, real-world projects, and opportunities to become a Pacific innovator.
