We invite any registered graduate student from U21 member universities to submit a 3-minute response via video to the following challenge:

The recent Upskilling for Shared Prosperity report by the World Economic Forum and PwC makes the case for providing employees with learning and development opportunities to expand their horizons while minimising skills gaps. The report highlights certain challenges, such as addressing the disconnect between current education programmes and the skills employers need today and in the future, but also presents the advantages of upskilling, including wider social benefits triggered by the development of specific skills that will prove beneficial for the future success of the global economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the global economy in ways we could not have imagined. It has further exposed the inadequacies of our current economic structures and highlights a growing mismatch between people’s current skills and those needed for the jobs at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The skills gap is widening and causing greater inequality in the workplace.

Based on the report and proposed call to action, suggest an initiative that can be undertaken by governments and/or businesses and/or education providers that can help improve and maintain shared and sustainable prosperity.

Prizes

Three first prize winners will be selected; they will be awarded with a week-long expenses-paid trip to Dubai, courtesy of PwC. Note that travel will only take place when it is safe to do so and will be in accordance with global travel guidelines. Alternatively, in discussion with the winner(s), PwC will consider hosting the winner(s) at another PwC office locally (but this cannot be guaranteed). There will be 7 runners up who will receive career development coaching sessions, courtesy of the PwC Academy. All approved entrants into the U21 final will receive exclusive access to online courses provided by the PwC Academy to support workplace skills development. A non-credited commendation certificate will be given by U21/PwC to each student who enters the competition.

Competition Rules (as per U21/PwC)

See the U21 PwC Handbook for details on competition rules, prizes, Intellectual Property information, etc.

Additional Rules for participants

• You must be a current registered postgraduate student at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
• A panel of judges will select up to a maximum of 4 finalists to represent the University of Nottingham in the U21/PwC Innovation Competition.
• The University will record a professional video of the winning presentation/s and will submit it/them to the U21/PwC Innovation Competition.
• By uploading your video, you agree that the University of Nottingham may use, alter or adapt this video in whole/in part for educational and/or publicity purposes and that it may be used on the University website or external websites endorsed or supported by the University (including but not limited to YouTube and iTunes).
• By submitting your entry to the Innovation Challenge, you are acknowledging that your ideas/research will be made publicly accessible and shared with industry professionals.

UNNC Live competition