University in Canada Wins Seventh Airbus Graduate Engineering Design Competition Diversity Award
York University's C4 Initiative Wins Airbus GEDC Diversity Award
The C4: Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom initiative at York University in Toronto, Canada, has been awarded the prestigious Airbus GEDC Diversity Award. This recognition is given to projects that demonstrate excellence in bringing diversity to engineering education.
The C4 initiative, launched in 2016, breaks down disciplinary barriers and promotes diversity in engineering education by bringing together students from different academic disciplines. This unique approach fosters interdisciplinary teamwork, enabling students from engineering, communications, arts, policy, and other fields to integrate diverse perspectives, resulting in innovative solutions and expanded learning experiences beyond traditional engineering boundaries.
In the 7th edition of the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award in 2019, 48 entries representing 43 universities/organizations across 18 countries were submitted, making it the highest number of eligible entries in the award's history. The winning project was selected based on the impact of their work, evidence of results, and the potential to scale for growth.
The C4 initiative researched and designed a sustainable solution for one of 11 social impact challenges identified by companies, non-profits, start-ups, and government-linked organizations. The project's success is reflected in student alumni who have gone on to lead nonprofits and civic initiatives, demonstrating how C4 nurtures leadership and socially conscious problem-solving skills.
The virtual ceremony for the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including members of the Awards Committee, GEDC Executive Committee, GEDC and IFEES members, jury members, and finalist teams. The winning project was awarded a cash prize, and each team will benefit from an opportunity to work with mentors from Airbus engineering and inclusion and diversity teams.
Jennifer Ogle, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Airbus France, was a member of the jury, alongside other influential figures such as Amanda Simpson, Vice President for Research and Technology at Airbus Americas, and Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President Engineering of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, who served as the Patron of the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award.
In its first year, 74 students from 23 programs and 8 faculties, including 23 engineering students, participated in the C4 initiative. The initiative's impact can be seen in the numerous students who have benefited from its interdisciplinary approach to engineering education.
The Airbus GEDC Diversity Award, launched in 2012, aims to recognise and reward achievements in bringing diversity to engineering education, encouraging more people from various profiles and backgrounds to study and succeed in engineering. Previous winners of the award have made significant contributions to diversity in engineering, with one of the 2016 finalists, Dawn Bonfield, pitching the International Women in Engineering Day, now a UNESCO-sponsored international awareness day.
For more information about the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award and its winners, visit the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award website.
- The C4 initiative at York University focuses on personal growth and education-and-self-development, as it breaks down disciplinary barriers, promotes diversity in engineering education, and encourages interdisciplinary teamwork, leading students to learn and integrate diverse perspectives and develop innovative solutions.
- The success of the C4 initiative, recognized with the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award, demonstrates its effectiveness in fostering learning and leadership skills, evidenced by student alumni who have gone on to lead nonprofits and civic initiatives, showcasing its ability to nurture socially conscious problem-solving skills.
