BMW Group Australia has once again partnered up with two of Melbourne’s esteemed universities to launch the fifth iteration of the YourMelbourne student competition to challenge aspiring young minds.
Both 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 the year 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 either as individuals or as part of 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 to humanitarian goals, students are also asked to propose ideas that can contribute to the fulfillment of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Entries will be judged based on their 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 invaluable experience will allow them to immerse themselves in a multinational workplace environment, gaining insights and practical exposure that can greatly benefit their future endeavors.
| Individual category prizes1 | Team category prizes(prizes awarded to team as a whole) | |
| 1st | $5,000 (by way of EFT to the bank account nominated by the winner) | $7,500 (by way of EFT to the bank account nominated by the winner) |
| 2nd | $1,000 Apple Store Gift Card | $1,500 Apple Store Gift Card |
| 3rd | $500 Amazon Gift Card | $750 Amazon Gift Card |
The winning entries will be selected by a judging panel with expertise spanning the realms of industry and academia. This panel will be comprised of 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,” said Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Group Australia.
“We are also delighted to welcome a new addition to our judging panel – Samantha Choudhury, who brings with her 18 years of experience in strategic planning and urban development.”
Professor Heath McDonald, Dean of School of Economics, Finance and Marketing – College of Business and Law at RMIT University commented, “We were absolutely blown away last year by the level of creativity, technical expertise, and attention to detail in each of the student submissions. 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.”
“The YourMelbourne competition provides our students with 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 are empowering the next generation of urban innovators to develop forward-thinking solutions that can improve mobility, sustainability, and quality of life in Melbourne,” said Professor Peter Gahan, Associate Dean in Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne.
“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.”
For more information on the YourMelbourne 2024 Competition, please visit the competition microsite, which can be accessed via bmw.com.au/yourmelbourne.
