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The EFB Section on Biochemical Engineering Science, in collaboration with NNE®
is pleased to announce the European Biochemical Engineering Design Award 2002.

THE EUROPEAN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN AWARD 2002

Biochemical Engineering is a key element in the commercial exploitation of Biotechnology. And design is the cornerstone of engineering practice. Training in process and plant design are characteristic features of all chemical and biochemical engineering undergraduate curricula, requiring students to holistically apply and integrate engineering and scientific principles. Through design projects, students are challenged to look beyond the theory, to consider process economics and safety, environmental issues and the role of professionals from other disciplines. Through the establishment of a European Biochemical Engineering Design Award, the EFB Section on Biochemical Engineering Science aims to highlight the importance of design as a professional activity and to encourage and reward excellence in Biochemical Engineering education.

THE SECTION ON BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE

The objective of the European Federation of Biotechnology Section on Biochemical Engineering Science is to foster Biochemical Engineering development. It achieves this objective through the organisation of pan-European events, including the ESBES (European Symposium on Biochemical Engineering Science) symposia and advanced courses in Biochemical Engineering; through the publication of textbooks and research volumes; through the establishment of real networks of practising biochemical engineers and biotechnologists. Central to its activities is the promotion of Biochemical Engineering among young scientists and engineers, who are the future of the discipline.

THE SPONSOR

NNE® is an ISO 9001-certified, Danish-based company, serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Behind NNE is a flexible and integrated organisation of approximately 1400 engineers, pharmacists and architects, who work closely together to create the best solutions - from turnkey factories to installation or optimisation of single process units. The company's unwavering focus on technological innovation, development methodologies and skills development guarantees clients optimum solutions to engineering problems, coupled with professional project implementation. NNE recognises its people as its most important asset. Its highly skilled workforce, driven by company core values of responsibility, innovation and dedication, creates a competitive advantage for clients striving to get products to market. Sponsorship of the European Biochemical Engineering Design Award is part of NNE's commitment to professional training and the pursuit of professional excellence.

WHO MAY APPLY?

Entries are invited from Departments, within European institutions, offering undergraduate or 'taught' post-graduate degree programs in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering or Bioprocessing. Applications are also welcome from Biotechnology or Applied/Industrial Biology programs involving a strong engineering design component. Each Department may submit a maximum of ONE bioprocess-related design project for every 30 students enrolled in the course (i.e. 1-30 students: 1 entry; 31-60 students: up to 2 entries, etc.). All projects must have been completed during the 2001-2002 academic session.
Entries must be endorsed and submitted by the academic staff member(s) responsible for the Design Project.

ENTRIES

Each entry must be a bioprocess-related design project, prepared as part of normal undergraduate/'taught' post-graduate coursework. There are no specific criteria for either the nature of the bioprocess or the scope of the project (i.e. the project may address either a process in its entirety or a single operation within the process). However, the project is expected to encompass all relevant aspects of process design and include treatment of safety and environmental issues and process economics. The project submitted should primarily represent the efforts of a single student. However, it is recognised that elements of many process design projects (e.g. environmental assessment, overall process economics, etc.) may require group activity and such contributions should be indicated. The entry must be prepared in the English language, word-processed, fully bound and accompanied by a completed application form. As entries will not be returned following the adjudication process, a good quality photocopy of the original is acceptable. The closing date for receipt of entries is June 7, 2002.

ADJUDICATION

Entries will be adjudicated by a panel of European Biochemical Engineers from both academia and industry and will be evaluated on the basis of engineering design, innovation and presentation. A short-list of three student finalists will be selected from all eligible entrants and the relevant Departments will be notified by early August 2002. The finalists will be invited to attend ESBES4 (www.esbes4.tnw.tudelft.nl/), in Delft, August 28-31, 2002. Accommodation expenses and reasonable travel expenses within Europe will be paid. During the Symposium, finalists will make brief oral presentations on their projects. The winner, selected on the basis of both the presentation and the written submission, will be awarded €1000. The runners-up will each receive €500. Certificates will be presented to the three prize-winning students and to their institutions. The names of the winners will be communicated to all participating institutions during September 2002.

THE ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Finalists will be invited to make oral presentations, of approximately 10 minutes in duration, to the judging panel and to the ESBES4 delegates. A further period of approximately 10 minutes will be allocated for questions and answers. Video projection facilities for PowerPointâ presentations and overhead projection facilities will be provided.

For further information on the European Biochemical Engineering Design Award, contact

Dr Patricia Kieran
Department of Chemical Engineering
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4
IRELAND
phone: +353-1-716-1956
fax: +353-1-716-1177
email: patricia.kieran@ucd.ie

Information about ESBES4 is available at www.esbes4.tnw.tudelft.nl/

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