Innovation: 3M CHALLENGE

Global science company 3M has launched a national case challenge calling all undergraduate students from all courses of study in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam to submit their most innovative ideas across three themes: Technology, Sustainability, and Innovation.

Called The 3M Inspire Challenge, the inaugural competition will run across two stages. The first stage, known as the Country-Level Semi-Finals, will see students face-off against their local peers in a live judging panel on August 24, 2021.

The winners of this stage will be crowned the title of Country Champion, awarded a cash prize of USD 1,000, and internships at local 3M offices.

The Country Champion will then proceed to the second stage, known as the Regional-Level Finals, to compete against all the other Country Champions. The winning team will be crowned Regional Champion and walk away with a USDD 2,000 cash prize.

Throughout the challenge, participants will also enjoy access to 3M mentors from diverse backgrounds who will sharpen their ideas in preparation for the Country-Level Semi-Finals and Regional-Level Finals.

“At 3M, science is at the heart of everything we do,” said Kevin McGuigan, managing director, 3M Southeast Asia region and country leader, Singapore. “We strive to solve today’s challenges by delivering innovative solutions that help improve lives around the world. The 3M Inspire Challenge is therefore here to inspire great ideas in technology, sustainability, and innovation, and support the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators.”

Interested participants can now register their groups at The 3M Inspire Challenge website (http://go.3m. com/3minspirechallenge). Groups should consist of two to four students, and at least one male and one female member.

Participants are invited to submit ideas for the three challenge themes: Technology, Sustainability, and Innovation. Full details of the case themes will be unveiled when submissions open from May 22 to June 21, 2021.

The 3M Inspire Challenge is the latest addition to 3M’s diverse ecosystem of community engagements to make a positive impact in the fields of science and education, and champion a diverse talent pipeline. It is 3M’s first standalone challenge targeting undergraduates in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

3M also partners with various organizations such as the Department of Science and Technology and Mano Amiga Academy to provide high-quality STEM educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.