The World Steel Association (worldsteel) today announced the new World
Champions of the 18th steelChallenge. Wei Li Bu from HBIS in China won
in the industry category and Srinivasan
Dhamaraj from the Indian
Institute of Technology, Hyderabad in India won in the student category.
The World Championship of the 18th steelChallenge took place on 9 April
2024 in London, UK. The best players of the Regional Championship from
the industry and student categories competed for the global title. The
challenge was to produce wire rod, used to make steel cord for car tyre
reinforcement, at the lowest cost using steeluniversity’s electric arc
furnace and secondary steelmaking courses in a combined simulation. To
reflect the steel industry’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint
of its operations, there were carbon footprint requirements for the
steel grade.
Jorge Muract, Director, steeluniversity for worldsteel, said,
“steelChallenge-18 embodies a transformative journey, one that
transcends traditional boundaries to create a truly unique and enriching
experience. It’s a platform where the convergence of digital innovation,
environmental stewardship and social responsibility is reshaping the
future of steelmaking. We would like to thank all our participants for
joining us on this remarkable learning expedition. Your dedication,
creativity and passion have not only elevated the steel industry, but
also inspired countless others to join in the pursuit of excellence and
sustainability.”
The 2024 World Champion in the student category, Srinivasan Dhamaraj
said, “I am humbled to have won in the student category of the
steelChallenge World Championship. Having won will hugely boost my
chances of securing a great job when I’ve finished studying. I am
looking forward to entering the steel industry and applying everything
I’ve learnt.”
Wei Li Bu, the World Champion in the industry category for 2024, said,
“It’s such an honour to have won the steelChallenge World Championship.
It’s been very gratifying to have had the opportunity to test myself
against other young industry professionals and to have come out on top.
I look forward to returning to my company with my head held high. Thank
you to steeluniversity for the opportunity.”
The Regional Champions receive the following prizes:
-
Certificates for completing the electric arc furnace and secondary
steelmaking courses
-
Certificate for being Regional Champion
-
€500
-
Travel allowance to take part in the World Championship in London,
UK
-
iPad to run the steelmaking integrated simulator
-
Recognition by worldsteel and steeluniversity
-
Faculty advisors of the student champions also received a travel
allowance to observe the World Championship in London, UK, and a
steeluniversity certificate of appreciation.
Additionally, the World Champions receive the following prizes:
-
€500
-
World Champion certificate
-
steelChallenge-18 trophy
All registered participants received access to the electric arc furnace
and secondary steelmaking courses, including e-learning, 3D interactive
models and simulators. Registered participants completing the courses
received completion certificates. Also, participants successfully
completing a simulation run during steelChallenge-18 received a
competition certificate.
The World Championship Finalists were:
Table 1. Industry Category
Participant |
Affiliation |
Region / Country |
Katie ABRAHAM |
Tata Steel |
Europe and Africa / UK |
Caio ANDRADE |
ArcelorMittal Pecém |
Americas / Brazil |
Mihir MANDAL |
Tata Steel |
Asia – West / India |
Wei Li BU (伟利部) |
HBIS Group Co. |
Asia – North / China |
Jinho KANG |
Independent Consultant |
Asia – East and Oceania / South Korea |
Table 2. Student Category
Participant |
Affiliation |
Region / Country |
Matic BOBNAR |
University of Ljubljana |
Europe and Africa / Slovenia |
João Pedro TABOSA |
Universidade Federal do Ceará |
Americas / Brazil |
Srinivasan DHANARAJ |
Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad |
Asia – West / India |
Cheng Jun HAN (城俊韩) |
Tangshan Vocational and Technical College of Science and
Technology |
Asia – North / China |
Ji Hyeok LEE |
Dong-A University |
Asia – East and Oceania / South Korea |
Source from Worldsteel |