UAE to host INFINITI Engineering Academy finals
After a global search for young engineering talent, the recruitment phase of the 2017 INFINITI Engineering Academy closed with another year-on-year leap in applications.
The fourth edition of this automotive-to-motorsport engineering recruitment program attracted some 12,020 registrations, a nearthreefold increase on the last year. Students from 41 countries registered their interest in the academy, with the final events taking place next month in each of the seven participating regions: Asia & Oceania, Canada, China, Europe, Mexico, the UAE and US.
The finals will be held in Dubai on Sept. 6-7, when the ten finalists will compete to secure the only placement available for the region — a highly sought after year-long placement in the UK working for both INFINITI and Renault Sport Formula One Team.
“We are thrilled with the increased popularity of the INFINITI Engineering Academy, and its reputation and credentials building year after year,” said Tommaso Volpe, global director, INFINITI Motorsport.
He added: “As this unique program connects ever more deeply with the world of engineering students, we can strive to draw ever greater numbers of students to pit their skills against the best of their international peers. With every edition of the academy, we are further impressed by the incredible talent attracted.”
Cyril Abiteboul, managing director, Renault Sport Racing, said: “The seven academy winners from last year’s intake have already been working hard in important roles at our Enstone base, strengthening our technical resource with freshthinking engineering ability. Attracting top new talent is crucial for success in Formula One, and the academy helps us to do this.”
He added: “We look forward to and presume the same great levels of talent from this year’s winners, and they will be expected to quickly slot into our team and contribute to our 2017 and 2018 Formula One campaigns.”
Juergen Schmitz, managing director, INFINITI Middle East, said: “Over the past few years, we have seen the INFINITI Engineering Academy go from strength to strength. There is a strong appetite for this exclusive once-in-a-lifetime program among the region’s students, and we anticipate yet another hotly contested final in Dubai next month.”