The BEST (Business & Education through Skills & Training) Awards will celebrate the creative and innovative talent within Northern Ireland’s six Regional Colleges in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The projects focus on the application of STEM knowledge across a broad range of disciplines – from Software Apps to a Portable Solar Water Heater, and manufacturing solution developed for companies including Almac and Montupet.
The Best Awards are supported by the Department for Employment and Learning, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; Cookstown District Council; the sectoral bodies CITB NI, Cogent, SEMTA and the Royal Academy of Engineering; and British Telecommunications and Archer Advertising.
Speaking ahead of the event, Colleges NI Chief Executive Gerry Campbell said:
“The standard and quality of entries in this year’s competition is a testament to the creativity and innovation in our Colleges that is often not fully recognised. These people will go on to be the innovators, creators and business leaders of tomorrow.
“I also want to pay tribute to all those hard working and dedicated staff in our Colleges who worked hard to support participants and contributed so much to enriching the learning experience of their students.” ENDS
The BEST Awards Ceremony will be held at 3.30 pm on Monday 21 May in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown (judging of the awards day starts at 9.30 am).
Cookstown District Council Chairperson, Cllr Sean Clarke will welcome participants to the awards ceremony. The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, will speak about the importance of STEM and present the BEST Awards.
Details of Best Awrds 2012 Finalists
Note to Editors
108 students and 69 projects will go head-to-head to win the BEST Award with two winners, in the 16-18 and 19+ age categories. In addition there are a number of sponsored awards:
- Department for Employment and Learning Entrepreneurial Award
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Innovation Award
- Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Creative Industries Award
- Cogent Life Sciences Award
- SEMTA Science and Engineering Award
- BT Communication Award
- Archer Advertising Visual Design Award
- Royal Academy of Engineering Engineering Award
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) NI Built Environment Award
