With less than three weeks until entries close for the 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards, Robert Gordon University students have been set a challenge to design the trophy which will be presented to winners at the 30th awards ceremony.
The competition is now in its fifth year, and run by awards host the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section. Third year students studying Product Design at Gray’s School of Art were briefed to design a trophy which reflects the themes of the Offshore Achievement Awards (OAAs) – thirty years of innovation, collaboration and creativity.
Principal sponsor TAQA hosted the presentation of the trophy designs at its Westhill base on November 5. An interactive workshop was also organised which gave students tips on how to deal with suppliers, the importance of deadlines and how to work within a budget. Judges then provided the students with feedback on their designs so they can fully develop their concepts for the final round, with the winning prototype announced on November 19 and the trophy revealed in February 2016.
Pete Jones, managing director of TAQA, said: “It is encouraging to see students being given the opportunity to be involved in these awards at a time when supporting future talent has never been more important. The competition truly reflects the industry by encouraging innovation, out of the box thinking and overcoming challenges. I would like thank all the students for presenting their creative designs, and I wish them the best of luck in the next stages of the competition.”
Entries to the Offshore Achievement Awards are open until Tuesday, December 1, 2015. The black tie ceremony will take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday, March 17, 2016. For further information and entry criteria, please visit www.spe-oaa.org. A few remaining sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Collaboration Award, Above and Beyond Award, Drinks Reception and Table Gifts. Contact oaa@mearns-gill.com for further details.