BASF to Inspire Scientific Innovation among Students at Technovanza 2015

• Technovanza Festival to take place at Manipal University Dubai, April 29 – 30
• BASF Supports Department of Civil Engineering at prominent Engineering and IT Festival in the UAE

Dubai-UAE: 26 April, 2015 – BASF is set to support the fourth edition of Technovanza, an engineering and IT festival organized by Manipal University in Dubai.
To be held in Dubai Academic City at the university premises on April 29 and 30, the event will converge around 4,000 visitors. The main contest will include project contributions from ‘Young Innovators of the UAE,’ a selection of top high school students from 20 schools.

BASF, a leading supplier of materials to the construction industry in the region, will support the contests held by the university’s Civil Engineering department. Open to university and school students, 45 teams comprising 2-3 participants each will compete for cash prizes.

BASF will be contributing one of its Master Builders Solutions waterproofing products for one of the challenges. In addition, the company will provide tools and safety gear, including detailed guidelines about the product uses, as well as mixing and application methods, and health and safety requirements.

Julian Pritchard, General Manager at BASF Construction Chemicals UAE LLC, said: “At BASF, educating the youth for long-term change is a cornerstone of our social responsibility efforts. Aiming to equip the next generation with practical skills and scientific learning, we are happy to support the fourth edition of Technovanza.

“Each participant represents burgeoning talent and leadership in this region. We must nurture them by providing platforms for healthy competitions and team growth.”

Committed to engaging the youth, BASF consistently supports similar initiatives in the region. Through the Ministry of Education and Information City’s project ‘Educate a child Build a Nation’, BASF encouraged children between the ages of 7-13 to be computer literate, and awarded laptops to around 300 children. At Kidzania in Dubai, BASF helps young children see the potential of a career in chemistry by organizing fun and easy experiments.

Technovanza is an independent, student run body comprising students from the schools of Engineering and IT at Manipal University Dubai. In an aim to promote science and innovation, the first edition of the festival was launched in 2012.