The initiative run by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and fitness app NXL aims to get students across the world moving.

Universities taking part can share a website link with their students, which tallies up steps recorded from step-counter apps.

A winner will be decided based on points earned from total steps, total stairs climbed and the percentage of participating students.

They will be given the title of "most active university" and scoop a $1,000 (£820/€900) prize. 

The competition opens on September 1 and runs until September 20, FISU's International Day of University Sport.

Three top students from each university will also be honoured with prizes including smartwatches, running shoes and yoga mats.

Lebanon's Saint Joseph University in Beirut won the inaugural competition last year.

"After last year's success, NXL and FISU decided to launch the second global university step challenge this September," said Lucian Dietsche, chief executive and founder of NXL. 

"With this step challenge we want to motivate students to move more in their daily lives by having a healthy competition between peers. 

"Great prizes are waiting for both the winning university and the best performing students."

Universities can sign up for the challenge here.

"Last year's challenge motivated people to move more, and walk instead of taking the car for short distances," Dietsche added.

"We had participants write to us saying that they lost weight by walking instead of taking the car.

"Since then we've made improvements in the app. 

"Steps are now loaded automatically, which makes participation even easier."

The International Day of University Sport is celebrated every year by FISU on September 20, with events across the world.