Global ‘Fly Your Ideas’ contest to inspire a new wave of engineering talent

An in depth report by UNESCO about future engineering capacity highlights an engineering skills gap that threatens industry and growth. Aviation is no exception. There are not enough aviation engineers currently graduating to meet industry needs and nearly half of them switch to other careers once they qualify.

Through its Fly Your Ideas competition, Airbus is offering students an insight into the world of aviation. It is one means to boost their interest in the industry. UNESCO is supporting Airbus’ Fly Your Ideas challenge, designed to inspire a new generation of engineers.

The global contest has just opened for its third season and challenges students worldwide to develop new ideas for a more sustainable aviation industry. It involves three rounds with five teams to be chosen as finalists in the summer of 2013. All teams are supported by an Airbus mentor during the development of their project, and new this season, an Airbus expert will offer advice at key stages of the competition.

'Engineers can change the world. With Fly Your Ideas we want to excite young people about aviation and the fascinating opportunities it holds' said Charles Champion, Executive Vice-President Engineering at Airbus and Fly Your Ideas Patron.

Lidia Brito, Director of the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building, UNESCO, says, 'Airbus is giving students a rare opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real world environment – and with access to senior figures from the aviation industry. The Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge is a blueprint for how industry and academia can work together to bridge the classroom-boardroom divide. It underlines the central role of engineering in creating our sustainable future and gives students a chance to experience that adventure.'

University students of any nationality or discipline – from engineering to marketing; business to science; information technology to design – are invited to participate. Proposals must address the key issues facing the industry: Energy, Efficiency, Affordable Growth, Traffic Growth, Passenger Experience, or Community Friendliness.

→ Complete list of Competitions organized by the United Nations System and partners

Related links:

• Airbus Fly Your Ideas Challenges
• Engineering: issues, challenges and opportunities for development (pdf)