Global energy competition could benefit Jamaican students
BUSINESS AND engineering students have the chance to showcase their talent and be rewarded for their efforts, thanks to a global competition that looks to uncover bold ideas and innovative solutions for smarter, more energy-efficient cities.
The competition, dubbed ‘Go Green in the City 2018’, was launched recently by Schneider Electric, a company that has made digital transformation of energy management and automation its business.
“Now in its eighth year, Go Green in the City has become a major event for business and engineering students worldwide. In 2017, nearly 20,000 young innovators from 3,000 universities in 180 countries took part, 58 per cent of them women. The stakes for Go Green in the City competitors are high, with mentoring, networking, travel, cash prizes and business/job opportunities all on the horizon,” the company said in a media release.
In 2018, the competition should attract even more interest, thanks to a wider range of topics. Students are invited to submit their bold ideas in one of five categories: sustainability and inclusivity, the digital economy, smart supply chain, cybersecurity, or ‘no boundaries/bold idea for going green’.
“Schneider Electric has a bold vision to solve our planet’s energy paradox. Go Green in the City was designed as a platform for young innovators to become a part of this vision. Helping students to develop their bold ideas for new sustainable solutions, and gain a foothold in our industry is a great way for us to accelerate positive change,” said Olivier Blum, chief human resources officer at Schneider Electric.
CRITERIA
Teams must comprise two students attending accredited business or engineering schools in the same country for the duration of the competition. At least one of those students must be female, in line with Schneider Electric’s policy of promoting diversity and inclusion. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2018.
Shortlisted teams will receive mentoring by Schneider Electric experts to produce viable business cases to present at one of seven regional semifinals over the summer in Europe, North America, China, India, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. Each of the seven regional winners will then be invited to prepare for the competition final, along with one outstanding all-female team and two wild-card teams.
After this second round of mentoring, 10 teams will meet at the global final in the United States in the autumn. The winning team, selected by an executive jury, will be offered the chance to begin a career at Schneider Electric, after international travel to visit any two of the company’s locations of their choice.