Social Commitment mentors Students4Sustainability with universities in the state of Oaxaca (Mexico) and in the Basque Country (Spain)
After a successful first call, the Students4Sustainability program returns with the participation of Cluster 4GUNE in the Basque Country and three Technological Institutes of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico.
In the past two years, our Social Commitment department has launched a series of initiatives that put students at the center of the creation of practical solutions for combatting climate change. The aim of these initiatives is not only to discover the talent of future professionals, but also to inspire other young people to follow the same path so that we can create a more sustainable world.
Students4Sustainability is one such initiative and through this program, students from different universities and regions face the problem of how to achieve the energy transition with sustainable solutions on a regional scale.
The program was launched in 2020 with the participation of Aalborg University in Denmark and Cluster 4GUNE in Spain, an initiative for Engineering, Science and Technology promoted by the public sector, private companies, and the academic world of the Basque Country through which 11 engineering faculties of this autonomous community participate.
Mexico is now joining this initiative thanks to a collaboration with the National Technological Institute of Mexico (Tecnológico Nacional de México) through its campuses Valle de Etla, Istmo and Comitancillo in the state of Oaxaca.
“As a global company with a presence in more than 70 countries, Siemens Gamesa understand that talent knows no borders”, said Maria Cortina, Global Head of Social Commitment.
“We promote this initiative to awaken innovation among students so that they can take part in the landmark energy transition to sustainable and affordable solutions”, she added.
The projects
Each year, Siemens Gamesa retains three projects per country or region.
The implementation of the three projects chosen in the state of Oaxaca will take place from March to August, and twelve students from TecNM campus Valle de Etla, Istmo and Comitancillo, from the Renewable Energy Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering careers, among others, will participate in these projects. The students of the winning projects will also be advised by professors from their respective campuses, as well as by international advisors from Holland and mentors from Siemens Gamesa.
The Basque Country projects were selected at the end of December and
are the following:
• Quantification and analysis of the environmental impacts associated with the battery recycling industry using life cycle assessment from the University of the Basque Country
• Upcycling CO2 into polymers via direct copolymerization: life cycle assessment analysis of the environmental benefits of the process and evaluation of the life cycle of CO2 from the University of the Basque Country
• Skills and competences needed to maximize energy efficiency and industrial symbiosis from the University of Deusto.
Findings and results will be presented in June to a panel of experts, including representatives from Siemens Gamesa.
Demonstrating our commitment to society by promoting engineering education
In connection with World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development on March 4, Unesco Director Aubrey Azoulay highlighted the magnitude of the contribution engineers make to our world, and to the goals of the 2030 Agenda
.
"To build more inclusive growth, develop renewable energies and tackle climate change, to ensure a fairer and more sustainable world, we need more than ever this scientific creativity at the service of all," she declared.
At Siemens Gamesa, we are committed to boosting engineering vocations in order to contribute to the next generation of professionals who will help combat climate change and pave the way toward a sustainable model of society.