No phones. No computers. Only pens and papers. Get some rest and have fun! These were the instructions at the start of the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge, which took place on February 10-11. The challenge itself was presented by Hitachi Energy and during 24 intensive hours, students from Dalarna University worked out lots of ideas.
The Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge is a collaboration between Dalarna University and Dalarna Science Park. It involves students from Dalarna University helping a Dalarna company with a major challenge, taken directly from reality.
Some thirty students took part in the first round of the competition. And what a premiere it was!
The assignment "Identify innovative ideas to attract and recruit 1000 engineers to Hitachi Energy, in Ludvika" was worked on intensively for almost the entire 24 hours.
The students were divided into teams and then guided through Dalarna Science Park's innovation process. Their own work was mixed with lectures and each team was also given money, in their own currency Daler, to buy coaching support and internet access.
Jörgen Bond, Dalarna Science Park, is one of the business advisors who was on hand to support the participants.
- I really want to highlight the absolutely outstanding efforts of the students. We have mixed twelve different nationalities working for 20 hours and they are still happy, engaged and approaching solutions by leaps and bounds. I am almost a little touched. This exceeds all my expectations," he said on Saturday morning as the competition drew to a close.
From Hitachi Energy, Pontus Hult, Elisabeth Agerman and Maria Arvidsson participated. In addition to the challenge itself, they also contributed with lectures, background material and coaching.
- "We've come away with lots of innovative ideas and it's incredibly valuable for us to spend a whole day with the students. We get to know them and they get a good insight into our company, commented Elisabeth Agerman.
Finally, the first prize went to Team 4 who proposed a social platform for recruitment. As well as facilitating recruitment, the platform could also give Hitachi a leadership role in the future of learning - a one-stop-shop solution that is strategic, technical and creative.
Filip Ireblad was part of the winning team and he was both happy and tired after the award ceremony:
- It has been really fun! And it's been great to meet so many new people of different nationalities. Lectures have also been rewarding, but now you are tired after being awake for 24 hours - it was hard not to fall asleep!
Winners 2023
1st prize
Team 4: Abadi Kidanemariam, Anupa Wickramarachchi, Balaji Vijayaraj, Filip Ireblad, Marwan Ali and Miki Hayashi
2nd prize
Team 1: Alsiraira Mokhtar, Anuj Singhvi, Jakob Spange, Johan Gullberg Bohlin, Mfon Etuk, Muhammad Arsalan Khan Tanoli and Nuwan Jayasinghe.
3rd prize
Team 5: Charles Edward Okon, Enrique Orozco Espinosa, Miiranda Michelle Johansson, Rana Abdelmageed and Uthistra Karunagaran.
Competition jury: Pontus Hult, Hitachi Energy; Angelica Ekholm, Dalarna Science Park; Carin Nordström, Dalarna University.
FACTS - Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge
Concept: An idea competition where university students are given 24 hours to find solutions to a concrete challenge, presented by a company or organization. The competition will be held annually, starting in 2023.
Purpose: To generate new ideas that contribute to sustainable development in Dalarna and increase interest in innovation, energy and technology.
Content: Workshops, idea work, presentation and award ceremony.
Arrangements: Dalarna Science Park and Dalarna University.
Mission 2023: Hitachi Energy: Identify innovative ideas to attract and recruit 1000 engineers to Hitachi Energy, in Ludvika.
