mtu encourages youthful curiosity

• Apprentices organize regional competition: “Youth Researches”
• MTU Friedrichshafen awards research internships as a special prize

Friedrichshafen, 1 February 2008. They have invested a lot of ideas, talent, but also stamina and persistence: On 22 and 23 February 106 young researchers will present their discoveries and experiments in the premises of Tognum’s subsidiary MTU Friedrichshafen at the 43rd South Württemberg regional competition, “Youth Researches – Pupils Experiment.” The motto of this year’s event is “Viva la curiosity!” “We are delighted that we can present the regional competition once again this year,” stated Oliver Bittelmeyer, project manager for “Youth Researches” and team leader for training and further training at MTU Friedrichshafen. On Saturday, 23 February, the general public will have the opportunity to view the work between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. in the Karl-Maybach-Haus at Plant 1 of MTU Friedrichshafen. The winners of the competition will also be announced on that day. The winners will receive certificates, money and other prizes, as well as the opportunity to participate in a state competition in Stuttgart, and for a second time the special prize of MTU Friedrichshafen will also be awarded: the winners will receive a four-day research internship at MTU Friedrichshafen.

But a technical-scientific competition for high potentials such as “Youth Researches” is not only important for the future of the young participants. The industry also sees great benefits in the competition, which is one of the reasons that support is provided. Joachim Coers, CFO and Human Resources Director of Tognum AG and Member of the Board of Management of MTU Friedrichshafen, stated: “As a leading technology group, we will continue to need young people who are fascinated by science and technology. Companies in Germany will only be able to succeed in international competition by recruiting well-qualified young people with high potential who are interested in these subjects from an early age and who are prepared to measure their abilities in comparison with others.”

106 young people – 22 female and 84 male – from the area between Lake Constance and the Swabian Alb have registered to take part. These researchers – from 9 to 21 years of age – will present 52 experiments and tests in the fields of biology, chemistry, geology and aerospace, mathematics and informatics, physics, engineering and ergonomics. The subject of engineering is the most popular with12 entries, closely followed by biology with 11 entries.

The regional competition is organized by apprentices and students of MTU Friedrichshafen. The team provides support for the participants and the jury, organizes a program of evening events for the younger participants at the “Theater Town” in Markdorf, and ensures that the prize-giving ceremony runs smoothly in the Karl-Maybach-Haus.


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mtu

Together with Detroit Diesel, mtu is the core brand of Tognum.

MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH supplies diesel engines and complete drive systems for ships, heavy land and rail vehicles, industrial applications and decentralized power generation plants. Covering diesel engines from 20 kW to 9,100 kW and gas turbines, the range of products is one of the most modern and wide-ranging in the sector. And to control and monitor its engines and drive plants, the company develops and manufactures its own custom-tailored electronic systems.

Tognum is one of the world’s leading suppliers of high speed diesel engines and complete propulsion systems for ships, heavy land and rail vehicles and of industrial drive systems as well as decentralized power plants, set-up in the two divisions mtu Engines and Tognum Onsite Energy Systems and Components. Its product portfolio includes diesel engines in the power range from 20 to 9,100 kW, gas engine systems, gas turbines and fuel cells and is one of the most modern and comprehensive in its sector. In addition, the group develops and manufactures custom-made electronic control and monitoring systems for its engines and propulsion systems.

Sales of the Tognum Group amounted to EUR 2.5 billion in 2006. Today, the Group employs more than 8,000 personnel worldwide. It maintains a global sales and distribution network including 16 subsidiaries, more than 130 distribution partners and 1,100 authorized dealers.