Alacero-Santiago, Chile. September 10th, 2013. Last August 27th. Alacero, the Latin American Steel Association, invites students and young industry professionals of Latin America to participate of the 8th Virtual Steelmaking Challenge organized by Steeluniversity.
Every year since 2005 Steeluniversity, the educational web portal focused on steel and sponsored by worldsteel, the association that represents most steelmakers from around the globe, organizes the “Virtual Steelmaking Challenge”, a competition where students and young professionals of the steel industry can test their skills using sophisticated online process simulations.
The contestants are given the task of producing a specified grade of steel at the lowest cost within a period of 24 hours. Over the years, the competition has attracted an increasing number of participants. In 2012, it surpassed 1.000 participants from 26 countries. The Challenge is open to students and young professionals (with less than 5-year experience) and enrollment and participation are free. It is possible to participate individually or as 2-persons teams.
First round (Regional Championship) of the 2013 version will begin on Tuesday November 12nd, 2013 at 12 AM (GMT). From that moment on, participants will have 24 hours to work on-line using a specially modified version of a Continuous Casting Simulation available at www.steeluniversity.com. The entrants can make as many attempts as they want to produce a specified grade of steel that will be announced by worldsteel at the beginning of the competition.
The simulation will be available in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese and English. At the end of the first round, Regional Champions in the ‘Industry’ and ‘Student’ categories will be identified for each region: North America, Latin America, Europe-CIS, Middle East-India- Africa, and East Asia- Oceania. Regional Champions of each category will be invited to compete for the position of World Champion at the Gran Final that will be held in Brussels on February 19th, 2014, with full sponsorship of their trip.
During the Final, and in presence of the leaders of the global steel industry, the world champions will receive a trophy and 1,000 euros cash prize. The runners-up will receive 250 euros and a certificate. Further information about the 8th Virtual Steelmaking Challenge is available at www.steeluniversity.org
About Alacero
Alacero –Latin American Steel Association- is the organization that brings together the Steel Value Chain of Latin America to promote the values of regional integration, technological innovation, corporate responsibility and social and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1959, Alacero is formed by 47 companies of 25 countries, whose production –of about 70 million annual tons- represents 95% of the steel manufactured in Latin America. Alacero is a Special Consulting Organization to the United Nations and is recognized as International Non-Government Organization by the Republic of Chile, host country of Alacero´s headquarters.