Awards to mark IK Brunel's bicentenary in 2006

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 8, 2005

Brunel University is calling for entries for its Innovation and Engineering Awards to mark the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's birth and the 40th anniversary of the university.

Brunel University is calling for entries for its Innovation and Engineering Awards, which form part of the IKB Awards - a series of nationwide competitions to mark the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's birth (the university's namesake) and the 40th anniversary of the university's Royal Charter in 2006.

With four separate awards for engineering, innovation, entrepreneurship and young companies, the IKB Awards offer an outstanding opportunity for young people to take their ideas to the next level.

The Engineering and Innovation Awards Age group 2 is open to 19-25 year olds.

The prizes include GBP 1000 cash for each competition plus GBP 1000 worth of consultancy for the winners with leading experts to take their concepts and ideas to the prototype stage and beyond.

In addition, winners will be invited to a prestigious black tie awards dinner at the Science Museum, London in April 2006.

For the Innovation Award, entrants must come up with the idea for a product to solve an everyday problem.

For the Engineers Award they must use their engineering and design skills to devise something that could change the future.

All entries must be submitted by 31st October 2005.

Entrants need to submit a synopsis of their idea (500 words for the Innovation Award, 800 words for the Engineering Award) along with a visualisation of the idea or a photograph of a basic working model.

According to Jeremy Clarkson, "Top Gear" presenter and Brunel University Honorary Graduate: "Isambard Kingdom Brunel was quite simply audacious, brave and brilliant".

"Wouldn't it be fantastic if this competition could find a genius like Brunel for the 21st century?".

The IEE is backing the awards, along with other industry and Government organisations.

The awards are being organised by Brunel University in association with ideas21.

The Innovation Award Age Group 2 - 19-25 year olds is sponsored by IMI Vision.