Manufacturing Technology Association's Technology, Design and Innovation Challenge 2012 winners announced

Open to all technology and design students, the nation-wide competition is split into two age groups: 14-16 years old and 17-19 years old. The 12 finalists were chosen by the MTA's Education and Training committee and the finals and the award ceremony took place at Yamazaki Mazak European Technology Centre in Worcester, with the winners announced last week. Bob Hunt, chairman of the Education and Training Committee of the MTA, said: "Both Natalie's and Uddhav's designs were exceptionally impressive and stood out in their categories. We received a record number of entries, which made selecting the finalists tough, but after four hours the top six entries in each age group shone through, with a varied range of 12 projects making it to the final. "Giving young people the chance to design and create is important, not only as a form of expression and to put into practice what they have learned, but also to give us in the industry a taste of how the world could evolve and what the designers of tomorrow will bring with them." Uddhav, who won the award in the 14-16 year old category for his Ultra Hammerhead Shark invention, a device designed to minimise blind spots when driving, said: "It's been an insightful experience and an opportunity to get a much better understanding of manufacturing. I'm really delighted and surprised to have won. It's a great honour, particularly given the standard of the other competitors." Natalie, who won the award in the 17-19 year olds category for her contemporary jewellery designs inspired by nature, offered: "It was a fantastic day. I am thrilled to have won. I am now looking to take my design forward and develop it into a real business." The winners received an iPad. The 2nd place finalist was awarded a Kindle and the students who took 3rd place received a digital camera. The MTA represents manufacturing technology manufacturers and suppliers, including those providing metalworking machine tools, cutting tools, workholding and software.