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In search of global young talents Focus on GCC Following Last Year’s Achievement The Henkel Innovation Challenge is back for its 8th season and the registration phase has just begun. Under the slogan of “Create. Learn. Grow”, Henkel is inviting students from all over the world to submit their innovative ideas for sustainable products and technologies.
This student competition is focused on innovations. Students of any discipline from 28 countries have the opportunity to take on the role of a business development manager. All they have to do is register at www.henkelchallenge.com with their innovative ideas before December 10, 2014.
Last year, 20 students from various universities across the UAE, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), competed in the regional GCC-level semifinals of the Henkel Innovation Challenge. Sarah Mustafa and Jaasim Polin, representing the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, were eventually adjudged the 2nd place winners and represented GCC in the global finals. This year Henkel planned a roadshow to promote HIC and visited universities in the GCC to invite students to participate. School visits included in the UAE (Hult University in Dubai, AUS in Sharjah), Qatar (CMU in Doha), and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al Yamamah University - Females in Riyadh). Henkel is also planning to conduct further visits and activations in the upcoming weeks. For the first time, two-day recruitment event will be held during this year’s competition where Henkel managers support the participants in the development of their concepts. In addition, there will be interviews for internships and concrete offers will be made. To enter the international competition, the students need to form a two-person team and create a concept for one of the three business units Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care or Laundry & Home Care. The task is to identify market trends and challenges for 2050 and develop ideas that are in line with Henkel’s sustainability strategy. The teams must convince a jury of Henkel managers, and the best ones will take part in the international final to be held in Vienna in spring 2015. The winning team will receive a ticket worth 10,000 Euro to travel around the world. The second and third-placed teams will also receive travel vouchers. All three teams will have the opportunity to meet Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted in person and present their innovation concepts. Mentor program and career opportunities The entrants will receive comprehensive support during the entire competition. “All semi-finalists are assigned an experienced Henkel manager as mentor to provide assistance and advice. This gives the students the chance to gain valuable practical experience, forge personal contacts with the company early on and find out about career opportunities says Jens Plinke, Head of Corporate Employer Branding at Henkel. In addition to individual mentorship, each team receives access to a wide range of e-learning opportunities and webinars on registration. “We expect the students to respond very positively to the combination of insights into the company and direct offers of internships”, says Plinke. “The Henkel Innovation Challenge is an important component of our worldwide Employer Branding strategy and a great opportunity to get to know innovative, conscientious students with an entrepreneurial spirit early on in their careers and motivate them for Henkel.” Asli Tumer Sezgin, Organization Development Manager at Henkel GCC, said: “Driving innovation is one of our core competencies and through Henkel Innovation Challenge; we offer students the possibility to translate theoretical knowledge into practice across the region. HIC is also one of the best recruitment tools to hire talented young graduates for our company across the region.”
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