(Shenyang) Following the 4th round award handing over of the “BMW Excellent University Students Award Fund” at Sun Yat-Sen University this May, today, in Shenyang, BMW China and BMW Brilliance officially kick off the Summer Internship Program for representatives of the awarded students. From today on, a total of 10 selected students from China’s 10 key science & technology universities will start their 1-month internship at BMW Shenyang Plant.

As always, BMW has not only rendered financial support to innovative outstanding students, but also placed high value on cultivation of their practice ability. The 10 participants of this year’s summer internship program have passed rigid selection among 100 award winners of “BMW Excellent University Students Award Fund” in 2009. They came from relevant departments of 10 well-established science & technology universities in China, such as the Department of Intelligence Traffic Engineering of Sun Yat-Sen University, School of Energy and Power Engineering of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Vehicle Engineering Department of Kunming University of Science & Technology, etc. BMW Brilliance will cover all the necessary expenses of the interns.

During the 30-day internship, the students will have the opportunity to learn about the running process of painted body, and experience BMW’s high quality production at the assembly shop. They will also study and work with plant staff members. Moreover, in order to diversify this internship, BMW will arrange for a series of weekly visits and training activities, the content of which include: BMW History Seminar, BMW Brilliance Product Training, Corporate Social Responsibility Seminar, BMW Shenyang Dealership visit, etc. Through these activities, students are expected to get an insight about the root and the essence of BMW Culture, in addition to practicing their professional knowledge.

At the commencement of the summer internship program, Mr. Hans Kroeppelt, Senior Vice President Manufacturing of BMW-Brilliance Automotive said, “Educational support has always been one of the four main areas of BMW China Corporate Social Contribution Activities. Through building up a platform for outstanding students by providing financial aid and plant experience, we hope to encourage them to gradually set up appropriate career direction and sense of social responsibility, and to finally become polished talent for society and enterprises across the globe. Facing the increasing job-hunting pressure, internship experience at a multi-national corporation such as BMW would also put these students in a much advantageous position in the talent market. ”

Jointly launched by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, BMW China and BMW Brilliance in January, 2006, the five-year “BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund” program aims to help Chinese college students to develop innovative spirit and a sense of social responsibility and to cultivate a new generation who are open minded and creative. Since its establishment, the “BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund” has been granting RMB 500,000 each year to 100 outstanding college students from low-income families, and has generated very positive outcomes. In total, 400 students have benefited from the fund.

As a world-leading automaker, BMW Group attaches high importance to its growth in China and takes a proactive role in the construction of a harmonious society in China. In recently years BMW has gained great achievements in supporting education in China. In addition to “BMW Excellent University Student Award Fund”, BMW has also developed Children’s Traffic Safety Education Programs for 5 consecutive years with very positive feedback from the society, especially from children and parents. Facing the unprecedented earthquake disaster in Sichuan, BMW has jointly established CCF-BMW Warm Heart Fund with China Charity Federation in 2008. On Dec. 8th of the same year, BMW initiated the CCF-BMW Warm-Heart Fund Education Program. The Program has been providing continuous care and love in addition to material support to teachers and students in the quake-affected area, through the excellent teachers grant, university undergraduate scholarships, education facilities assistance and on-site visits and interactive activities by members of the BMW family.