Bodycote Prize Paper Competition 2008

The inclusion of a Chinese student meant that for the fi rst time, there were seven fi nalists competing for the three prizes of $3000 each: Best Presented Paper; Best Postgraduate Scientifi c/Technical Paper; and Best Undergraduate Scientifi c/Technical Paper. Importantly, it was possible for the undergraduate or postgraduate winner also to win the Best Presented Paper Prize, giving a total prize of $6000. Each of the runners-up received $1250, so that there were indeed no losers. As in 2007, all the undergraduate fi nalists were offered a one year, salaried internship at a suitable Bodycote facility. Judging for the competition is carried out in two ways. The Best Scientifi c/Technical Papers in each category are judged by a select panel of independent judges representing academia and industry, together with two of Bodycote’s own technical experts. The Best Presented Paper, on the other hand, is dependant on the candidate’s presentation to an audience consisting of Bodycote’s senior management, both technical and administrative, together with the panel of judges. The high degree of technical competence of those in the audience ensures that every candidate is subject to some searching questions. How these are dealt with is also taken into account when the audience makes its decision.