Siemens launches Siemens Student Award in the Middle East

Calling for outstanding ideas by the best and brightest currently studying at Middle Eastern universities, Siemens has launched the Siemens Student Award, a regional contest that seeks the best answers to the world’s toughest questions related to four megatrends: demographic change, climate change, urbanization, and globalization. The winners will take home a total of US$ 45,000 and be presented with internship opportunities at Siemens in the Middle East.

With its Student Award the company encourages bachelor and master students enrolled at accredited universities in the Middle East and Pakistan to submit essays of up to 500 words that deal with one central question ‘How to build sustainable cities in the desert?’

“Knowledge transfer and building local talent is and has always been at the heart of Siemens’ commitment to the region. What we have not done before is calling for a regional contest of ideas”, said Joachim Kundt, CEO Siemens LLC. “We believe the Siemens Student Award can become a real catalyst for innovative problem solving that is relevant to today’s challenges; not only in the Middle East but for the entire planet”, Joachim Kundt added.

In line with its belief in team play Siemens is not only inviting entries from individuals but also from groups of up to three students. Submissions will be vetted by Siemens experts and the online community for their accordance with five criteria: fit to topic; pioneering; easy to implement; creativity of presentation; and easy to understand. The online community will be selecting three finalists while Siemens experts are selecting seven finalists.

“The world is facing ever growing challenges such as the safe and steady supply of drinking water and energy, and the provision of mobility and functioning public health systems, to name just a few. We believe in young people and their ideas and have developed this initiative – the first of its kind – with a broad but relevant theme to appeal to and inspire students to think about sustainable development”, Kundt said.

The launch at Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Men’s College coincides with a series of University Days organized by Siemens across the region, giving students the opportunity to meet with Siemens senior executives, learn about the award and ask questions.

Dr. Simon Jones, Director of Abu Dhabi Men’s College, said; “We are delighted to partner with Siemens on this endeavor and are looking forward to being an active participant in the initiative and working together to attain a mutually beneficial knowledge share.

“At the College, we encourage students to take part in such competitions on a local and international level and the Siemens Student Award is a fantastic example of a project our students can really get involved in and demonstrate their creativity.”

Siemens will invite the ten finalists to present their ideas at the Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar at the end of October/beginning of November this year where the winner will be announced. The total prize money amounts to US$ 45,000; the winner will receive US$25,000 and an internship opportunity with Siemens while the runners-up will receive US$ 15,000 and US$ 5,000 respectively and an internship opportunity.

Submissions must be made online via the website: www.siemens.com/studentaward, where applicants can learn more about the award, find out about the terms and conditions, and grasp the opportunity Siemens offers excellent students in the Middle East.

The deadline for all entries is end of day on Sunday, 31 July 2011.