In order to foster innovation among students and
bring new ideas to the fore, many organisations are conducting
innovation-based competitions on a big scale
Yasmin.Taj@timesgroup.com
For many forward-looking companies, innovation is a part of the DNA and hence, they promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among employees as well as students, thus driving them to think out-of-the-box. For students participating in innovation-based events, they get a chance to understand how it feels working for these big organisations and how they can give their careers a great start. Gregor Dirks, corporate innovator, Airbus points out, “We want students to understand how it is done. We try to help students grow into the wider world of innovation and prepare them for the industry.” According to Shalini Pillay, head, people and culture at KPMG in India, organisations that aim at being the best in their industry, are constantly looking at ways of developing a culture of innovation.
For many forward-looking companies, innovation is a part of the DNA and hence, they promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among employees as well as students, thus driving them to think out-of-the-box. For students participating in innovation-based events, they get a chance to understand how it feels working for these big organisations and how they can give their careers a great start. Gregor Dirks, corporate innovator, Airbus points out, “We want students to understand how it is done. We try to help students grow into the wider world of innovation and prepare them for the industry.” According to Shalini Pillay, head, people and culture at KPMG in India, organisations that aim at being the best in their industry, are constantly looking at ways of developing a culture of innovation.
“Tapping into today’s youth provides an access to creative,
innovative minds and this is why the country’s top campuses are
witnessing unique and exciting competitions for students,” she shares.
Contemporary as well as traditional organisations have both come to
understand the vital role innovation plays in carving a bright future
for the business and have started giving great impetus to it. Some
progressive organisations today have taken a giant leap and have started
organising innovation-based competitions to give students a chance to
manifest and display their innovative streak to the industry. Nowadays,
organisations, apart from funding, are also hosting competitions and
events for students to encourage a culture of thinking innovatively.
Sharing her views on what these competitions seek to achieve, Dr Yasmine
Hilton, chairperson, Shell India expresses, “The priority behind such
events and competitions is to advance creative thinking and foster
innovation among students. A pool of next generation technical and
business wizards is aspirational for companies.”
More often than not, incredible, world-changing software innovations
come from students. “Holding competitions helps open doors for student
entrepreneurs, innovators and technologists, while providing them
exposure on an international scale, and competing with some of the best
student technologists worldwide,” expresses Joseph Landes, general
manager – developer experience & evangelism, Microsoft India.
Here is a gist of a few innovation-based competitions (Indian and global):
Name: Shell Eco-marathon
What is it about: It is an innovation competition that challenges students from universities across the world to design, build and race the most energy-efficient cars, thus displaying their cutting-edge knowledge about energy and mobility. Each year, students come together in a four-day event to showcase, test and drive their cars on city streets and this year, they conquered the streets of Luneta Park, Manila to set five new mileage records at Shell Eco-marathon Asia.
What is it about: It is an innovation competition that challenges students from universities across the world to design, build and race the most energy-efficient cars, thus displaying their cutting-edge knowledge about energy and mobility. Each year, students come together in a four-day event to showcase, test and drive their cars on city streets and this year, they conquered the streets of Luneta Park, Manila to set five new mileage records at Shell Eco-marathon Asia.
Name: Microsoft Imagine Cup
What is it about: The competition provides opportunities for student technologists, developers and aspiring entrepreneurs from all academic backgrounds to collaborate, develop a technology application, create a business plan and gain an understanding of what is needed to bring a concept to market. More than 1.7 million students have competed and 60,000 student innovators from 25 Indian states had battled it out for the top three spots in the India-leg of the 12th annual Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014.
What is it about: The competition provides opportunities for student technologists, developers and aspiring entrepreneurs from all academic backgrounds to collaborate, develop a technology application, create a business plan and gain an understanding of what is needed to bring a concept to market. More than 1.7 million students have competed and 60,000 student innovators from 25 Indian states had battled it out for the top three spots in the India-leg of the 12th annual Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014.
Name: Airtel iCreate
What is it about: In 2009, Airtel launched this B-school initiative that is a highly competitive and an interactive programme enabling young minds to gain first-hand industry experience alongside industry experts and veterans. Students get real-time exposure with the help of mentors who are senior-level employees at Airtel. Under this initiative, participants from B-schools also stand a chance to join Airtel and endeavour to innovate and develop their business ideas into reality by winning pre-placement interview offers.
What is it about: In 2009, Airtel launched this B-school initiative that is a highly competitive and an interactive programme enabling young minds to gain first-hand industry experience alongside industry experts and veterans. Students get real-time exposure with the help of mentors who are senior-level employees at Airtel. Under this initiative, participants from B-schools also stand a chance to join Airtel and endeavour to innovate and develop their business ideas into reality by winning pre-placement interview offers.
Name: Airbus Fly Your Ideas
What is it about: This biennial, global competition offers students a unique opportunity to work with a team of aviation professionals on real-world challenges going beyond the aircraft itself. The competition is open to students of all nationalities and disciplines – from engineering to marketing; science to design - wherein they bag the opportunity to work with Airbus innovators to develop their ideas further along the competition and the winners receive 30,000 euros. http://www.itsmyascent.com/hr-zone/The-idea-factory/153034
What is it about: This biennial, global competition offers students a unique opportunity to work with a team of aviation professionals on real-world challenges going beyond the aircraft itself. The competition is open to students of all nationalities and disciplines – from engineering to marketing; science to design - wherein they bag the opportunity to work with Airbus innovators to develop their ideas further along the competition and the winners receive 30,000 euros. http://www.itsmyascent.com/hr-zone/The-idea-factory/153034
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