‘Transcend’ will empower students solve business challenges in the retail and logistics sectors
As part of its Corporate-Academia interface endeavours, Amazon UAE recently announced the launch of its ‘Transcend Campus Innovation Challenge’, a student competition aimed at fostering innovation and strategic thinking among the brightest minds in the UAE.
The competition invites hundreds of third and fourth-year students from the UAE’s leading universities to develop solutions to real-life business cases, which impact the customer and seller experiences that Amazon works towards enhancing every day, according to a press communique.
In collaboration with Zayed University, NYU Abu Dhabi, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), student teams competing in Amazon’s Transcend Campus Innovation Challenge will tackle critical industry topics that are top of mind for today’s customers and sellers, such as enhancing productivity, environmental sustainability and ensuring delivery excellence.
Immersive experience
The competition’s immersive approach will provide the competing finalists an opportunity to visit Amazon operations’ sites, be mentored by Amazonians, and experience the company’s customer-centric culture and leadership principles in action.
“Transcend Campus Innovation Challenge reflects our dedication to empowering the UAE’s talent pool, especially the youth, by fostering a mindset of innovation among the business leaders of tomorrow,” asserted Melina Alvarado, Director Human Resources, Amazon Operations, MENA.
“Through partnerships with the UAE’s leading universities, we aim to discover promising talent, and introduce them to the world of Amazon. The immersive experience of the competition will bring them up close with our passion for innovation for our customers,” she continued.
Experiential learning
“Amazon’s Innovation Challenge invites students into the type of experiential, engaged, and audacious learning that we have at NYUAD, and aspire to build on further,” stated Dana Downey, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director, Career Development Centre, NYU Abu Dhabi.
Amazon’s first such collaboration with UAE university students reiterates the company’s commitment to developing the country’s human capital by sowing the seeds of innovation at campuses across the country, the press statement continued.
“Amazon’s Transcend Campus Innovation Challenge is not just about competing; it is about preparing for the future. I am keen to start innovating, strategizing and solving for the challenges faced by the retail and logistics sectors, and I’m super excited for the chance to see my ideas come to life at Amazon,” concluded Mariam, an Information Systems and Analytics student, AUS School of Business Administration.
