(Shanghai.)The 2008 BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund Handover Ceremony was held in Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU) today. Totally 100 students from China's ten prestigious technology and engineering universities were awarded RMB5,000 for their outstanding academic achievements and exemplary innovation spirits. Mr. Li Ning, Secretary General of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Ms. Grace Li, Senior Vice President of Human Resources of BMW-Brilliance Automotive Ltd., Prof. Su Ming, Deputy Secretary of SJTU Party Committee and Mr. Zhang Wei, Secretary General of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Education Development Foundation, delivered speeches at the ceremony. After the handover ceremony, student representatives and members of senior management from BMW Brilliance had round table talks to exchange views on college student recruitment trends and career development.
The five-year "BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund" was jointly initiated by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, BMW China and BMW Brilliance in January 2006, aiming to help Chinese college students develop sense of social responsibilities, and to embrace the values of integrity, freedom, honesty, tolerance, transparency, unity and sustainability. According to the plan, BMW will contribute RMB 2.5 million in five years, and grant awards through China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to 500 outstanding college students from low-income families. The first and the second BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund Handover Ceremony were respectively held in Northeastern University in 2006 and Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2007. After the third award ceremony, there are total of 300 students benefited from the fund. Selection process and guidelines will be both available at the official website of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (www.sclf.org).
At the handover ceremony in Shanghai, Grace Li, Senior Vice President of BMW-Brilliance said: "'It takes ten years to grow a tree but a hundred of years to lay the foundation of education'. To achieve the goal of rejuvenating the country by science and education, the long-term and consistent devotion to education is very vital. At the same token, BMW pays great attention to the sustainable development in China, and is actively integrating into the building of a harmonious society. The BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund is the reflection of the long-term commitment of our corporate social contribution."
Dialogue between Students and BMW Senior Management Highlights BMW Recruitment Policy and Career Development
Following the handover ceremony, the awarded students, together with Ms. Grace Li, BMW-Brilliance Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and specially invited guests, had a round-table talk regarding the trend for college student recruitment.
When asked about the requirements and standards that BMW is looking for as an employer, Ms. Grace Li said: "BMW needs employees who can achieve high-quality results through highly efficient work, and take individual responsibility for corporate development. They need to be creative, proactive, good team players, fast to respond to changes and be quick learners. Therefore, a willingness to make a difference, an eagerness to learn, self-discipline, reliability and being open-mind are all basic BMW employee requirements."
Xiangfei is one of the ten awarded students from Chongqing University. Last summer, he got a one-month internship at Plant Shenyang of BMW Brilliance. Talking about his experience, Xiang said the strict requirements and standards for high quality had impressed him the most. Due to this valuable first-hand experience in production line of the world-class automaker, many companies have sent him with attractive offers. Currently, Xiang is furthering his studies in graduate school at Chongqing University. He said working in automotive industry would continue to be his career goal after his graduation.
The one-hour free talk session was very welcomed by the students and even exceeded for half an hour than the scheduled time. Many students said they got a deeper understanding of BMW recruitment policy and requirements and will do their best to apply for an internship opportunity at Plant Shenyang.
BMW Brilliance Offers Internship Opportunities to Excellent Students
The BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund is initiated to encourage students of engineering studies from China's ten famous technology and engineering universities including BUAA, Northeastern University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chongqing University, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Wuhan University, and Xi'an Jiaotong University. The students who are qualified to receive the award shall be innovative and have made some achievements in this aspect.
As a part of the project, BMW Brilliance will continue to offer ten excellent students a one-month internship at BMW Brilliance's plant starting from July of 2008 in Shenyang. During their internships, these students will not only work hand in hand with the associates in the plant, get a clear view of the manufacturing process of BMW product in assembly, but also know more about the human resource management mode and experience. They will learn more about the essence and root of BMW culture as well.
By providing financial assistance and offering internship, BMW is dedicated to build up a platform for outstanding students to learn and practice in the automotive plant with world-class management skill and production technology, and finally to become talented people for society and enterprises. BMW Brilliance welcomes college students to apply for internships on-line at http://www.bmw-brilliance.cn/.
Long-term Commitment to Corporate Social Contribution, Fruitful Results in Educational Support
As the world's only car manufacturer concentrating in premium car segment, BMW takes corporate social responsibilities as a goal of priority to promote the economic development, social harmony and sustained development through harmonious development of industry and society. The BMW Group attaches great importance to its sustainable growth in China and takes a proactive role in the construction of a harmonious society in China. Establishment of BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund again proves BMW's commitment to its corporate social responsibilities in China.
Before this project, BMW has launched a series of CSR programs in China to support the development of the young generation, such as:
--Sponsoring the BMW China Junior Golf Team;
--Sponsoring Central Conservatory of Music's symphony orchestra to overseas music festivals;
--Developing children's traffic safety education camp;
--Sponsoring the college students from less fortunate family background in Wenzhou and Shenyang to complete their education at the university;
--Donating to establish the "BMW Loving Care Library" for 20 elementary schools in Xi'an through the BMW Destination X 2006.
--Donating to establish 20 "BMW loving Care Library" in Xinjiang through the BMW Destination X 2007.
