Infiniti partners with Hong Kong university for Formula One Engineering Academy Initiative

HONG KONG – Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd. has announced a partnership with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which offers performance-driven engineering graduates an exclusive opportunity to work in Formula One via a new global talent search initiative.

Known as the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy, the enterprise offers leading engineering and technology students the chance to gain experience with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, the triple Formula One World Championship-winning team, and at Infiniti’s European Technical Center in the UK.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One team ambassador David Coulthard, Infiniti Formula One Global Director Andreas Sigl, HKUST Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Eden Y Woon, and Dean of Engineering Prof Khaled Ben Letaief officiated at the agreement signing ceremony. HKUST engineering and technology students were also present at the event.

The Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy will see two winning candidates from partner universities and colleges worldwide complete a 12-month assignment with Triple World Championship-winning Formula One team Infiniti Red Bull Racing, based in Milton Keynes, UK.

The two graduates will work alongside Infiniti engineers already based at the F1 team’s factory. In addition, they will also spend time at Infiniti’s nearby technical center in Cranfield, UK, where they will intensify their knowledge of future road car technologies.

The new program is the latest development in the Infiniti Red Bull Racing partnership, generating mutual benefits on the track and the road.

Recruitment will open later this year. National selections across several global regions will begin in May 2014, putting applicants through a comprehensive selection process to assess their performance potential and innovative thinking. Finalists will present their ideas to a panel of senior technical figures from Infiniti and Infiniti Red Bull Racing in July 2014 with the two winners announced at the British Grand Prix. The placements will begin in September 2014. This once-in-a-lifetime scholarship includes a salary, accommodation, and the use of a car.

Dr. Eden Y Woon said: “HKUST is the sole tertiary institution in Hong Kong and one of the few in Asia to be invited to be a partner of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy. This is a great acknowledgement of the University’s world-class education and research, and high-flying engineering students.”

The agreement also envisages there will be opportunities to develop future cooperation between HKUST and Infiniti.  Dr. Woon added: “We hope to work closely with Infiniti in the future on research and applications related to racing and road car technologies, and develop another programs to advance our students’ professional knowledge and skills.”

HKUST School of Engineering’s teaching and research excellence is globally recognized. The School has a strong international reputation and consistently ranks high among major engineering schools around the world. In the 2012-13 Times Higher Education World University Rankings in Engineering and Technology, HKUST was ranked No. 1 in Greater China and 23rd globally.

Commenting on the partnership with HKUST, Andreas Sigl, added: “The Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy is a unique opportunity for top engineering talents from around the world to further their learning in the fast-paced environment of Formula One. We are delighted to enter into a collaborative agreement with HKUST in Infiniti Motor Company Limited’s home town of Hong Kong.”

Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, Infiniti Red Bull Racing added: “One of the key advantages of our partnership with Infiniti is our ability to utilize their resources, from materials to processes and people. As such it is really interesting for us to benefit from a worldwide selection process, which brings the best new talent through our door. The speed of technical development in Formula One means that fresh thinking is crucial in keeping ahead of the other teams and we hope that providing an opportunity for world class graduates to work with us will provide long term performance benefits for us and for Infiniti.”

Further details of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy will be released in due course.