MIDAS launches 3rd level Engineering Competition

MIDAS IRELAND LAUNCH THIRD LEVEL ENGINEERING COMPETITION TO AWARD INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE IN ELECTRONIC AND MICROELECTRONIC DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
DUBLIN, Ireland – Microelectronics Week – Nov. 6th 2012 – MIDAS Ireland, the industry led organisation responsible for promoting the microelectronics industry, today announced the launch of an engineering competition for third level students aimed at driving innovation and excellence in electronic and microelectronic design and development. The new initiative was launched as part of Microelectronics Week, which aims to highlight the contribution of the sector to the Irish economy and its impact on the global market.
Open to all undergraduate students studying electrical, electronic or microelectronic engineering, entrants are being asked to submit a design and development project with a microelectronics or electronics hardware base. The project may be one which has been undertaken as part of the student’s programme of studies and previously submitted as part of their course. The winning project will receive €1,000 towards their college fees and the opportunity to meet with the judging panel for mentor advice around a career in the sector.
Explaining the value of such an initiative and what the adjudication panel will be looking for from entrants, John Blake, Chairman of MIDAS Ireland said: “As an industry led organisation that aims to define and develop the future direction of the microelectronics industry in Ireland, cultivating the next generation of engineering talent is fundamental to ensuring the on-going sustained success of the sector. Working with our partners in the third level sector we are delighted to announce the launch of today’s competition which we believe will encourage and foster excellence and creativity among our engineering undergraduates in colleges across the country. Through this initiative our aim is to reward ingenuity and originality and this is reflected in our judging criteria which will look specifically at the quality and creativity of project objectives, the strength of visual impact and of course the precision of execution. This is a wonderful opportunity for engineering students to display their skills and talents in their future profession and I would urge all undergraduates to get involved and participate.”
As well as a brief entry form, students are asked to submit a poster outlining the project title, targeted objectives, work completed and results achieved. The closing date for entries is April 12th 2013 after which time an adjudication panel will shortlist three projects to compete in a final. The three finalists will then be asked to present their projects in front of an audience of MIDAS members and a judging panel and participate in a Q&A, after which a winner will be announced and the presentation of an award made.
For further information about the MIDAS Ireland competition log onto www.midasireland.ie or contact Katherine Barry, MIDAS Co-ordinator on 021-4904375 or info@midasireland.ie
You can enter the competition using the attached application form.