Meeting of the minds with Shell Ideas360

Shell has launched a new global competition calling all high-achieving university students to share their ideas in helping tackle the pressures on energy, water and food availability—encouraging them to conceive, share and collaboratively develop innovative methods and game-changing concepts.

Shell Ideas360 was unveiled by Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) recently at the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel, gathering university students and members of the academe in “Meeting of the Minds,” an affair which also announced the Shell Internship Programme and the Shell Recruitment Expo in 2014.

Shell Ideas360 provides participants with an exciting opportunity to develop their ideas into a potentially investment-worthy business case with the support of mentors and subject matter experts. With the theme “People and Planet,” participants may submit ideas based on energy, water, and food concerns. Students can submit their idea until December 1, 2013 online at www.shellideas360.com.

The process for Shell Ideas360 involves three key stages. First, participants share and submit their initial idea, which will then be evaluated by a team of Shell experts. Up to only a hundred ideas or entries will be selected to proceed to stage two, where participants will then further develop their ideas with the help of Shell mentors and subject matter experts. In the third and final stage, five chosen teams or individuals will be invited to Shell’s renowned smarter mobility event—the Shell Eco-Marathon Europe in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in May 2014 to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

The Water-Energy-Food Stress Nexus

According to Shell, growing population, climate change and increased resource demands will place stress on vital resources at an unprecedented pace and magnitude. The complex relationship between these resources is known as the energy-water-food nexus—a relationship that is experiencing increased pressure.

Shell, as a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology, works to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, promoting smarter use, and by developing new energy sources all while addressing impact on the environment, through cleaner-burning natural gas, and advanced fuels and lubricant technology.

Shell also aspires to drive progress in the development of a better future energy system by working together with governments, institutions, non-profit organizations and other businesses across sectors. Shell is taking a number of concrete steps on its own and in partnership with others to tackle the challenges posed by the water-energy-food stress nexus.  

A call for bright ideas

At the launch of Shell Ideas360, Shell Philippines Exploration, B.V. asset manager Sebastian Quiniones shared his thoughts on Shell’s commitment in developing Filipino talents into world-class leaders, and how Filipinos can truly compete in the global arena.

As an integral part of Shell’s search for talents to drive future sustainable solutions, Shell branding and sourcing lead Jean Tamondong also introduced the Shell Recruitment Expo to be held next year in January at the SMX Convention Center. The expo will be part of Shell’s centennial year celebration in 2014 as well.

Meanwhile, SciP country recruitment head Janice Benavidez-Pamplona discussed the aspiration of Shell Ideas360 in terms of mining youth talent. “Shell’s aspiration is to be the most innovative and competitive company in the world. We recognize that innovation starts with ideas, and we believe that great ideas can be conceived by anyone at any time.  We enjoin students to join the Shell Ideas360 and turn this opportunity into a once-in-a-lifetime journey,” she said.

Philippine universities including the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Mapua Institute of Technology and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila were invited to join the competition.