BMW Group Australia has partnered with two of Melbourne’s universities to launch the fifth iteration of the YourMelbourne student competition.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne are encouraged to sign up and propose sustainable solutions for Melbourne in 2030.
The competition is offered to all academic disciplines including but not limited to design, technology, user experience, engineering and business. Students are invited to participate in this challenge individually or as a group.
The aim is to use their discipline to envision innovative and sustainable ways to manage the pressing issues of climate change, population growth, and the growing need for mobility in Melbourne’s expanding and sprawling urban landscape.
To further enhance the relevance of humanitarian goals, students are also asked to propose ideas that can contribute to fulfilling the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Entries will be judged based on merit across five core pillars: Public Mobility, Private Mobility, Urban Planning, Connectivity, and Sustainability.
Attractive cash prizes await the top three winners in each category, with a combined prize pool of over $10,000.
The first-place winners in both categories will receive a week-long internship experience at the BMW Group Australia headquarters. This experience will allow them to immerse themselves in a multinational workplace environment, gaining insights and practical exposure that can significantly benefit their future endeavours.
A judging panel with expertise in industry and academia will select the winning entries. This panel will comprise representatives from BMW Group Australia, RMIT University, University of Melbourne and – for the first time – Capire, a community engagement consulting group.
“BMW Group Australia is excited to once again partner with RMIT University and the University of Melbourne to uncover the bold visions that will shape the future of mobility and city living in Melbourne. By tapping into the innovative mindsets of these aspiring young leaders, we aim to discover transformative ideas that can revolutionise the way people move, work, and thrive within the urban landscape,” says BMW Group Australia chief executive Wolfgang Buechel.
“We are delighted to welcome a new addition to our judging panel – Samantha Choudhury, who brings her 18 years of experience in strategic planning and urban development,” he says.
“We were blown away last year by the creativity, technical expertise, and attention to detail in each student submission,” RMIT University Dean of the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, Professor Heath McDonald says
“The innovative ideas and comprehensive solutions proposed truly exceeded our expectations. We look forward to seeing the fresh perspectives and groundbreaking concepts the next generation of aspiring designers, engineers, and urban planners will propose,” he says.
“The YourMelbourne competition provides our students an unparalleled opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges facing our city. By collaborating with industry leaders like the BMW Group, we empower the next generation of urban innovators to develop forward-thinking solutions that can improve mobility, sustainability, and quality of life in Melbourne,” University of Melbourne Associate Dean in Business and Economics Professor Peter Gahan says.
“This competition is a testament to the calibre of talent we’re nurturing at the University of Melbourne, and I’m eager to see how their ideas will reshape the urban landscape,” he says.
For more information on the YourMelbourne 2024 Competition, please visit the competition microsite, accessed via bmw.com.au/yourmelbourne.
