University students from ten countries compete in the fourth edition of the Indra Future MindsDRA FUTURE MINDS COMPETITION

Indra, the leading Spanish multinational consulting and technology firm and one of the main players in Europe and Latin America, has launched the fourth edition of the international competition for university students, the Indra Future Minds Competition, which is based on multiculturalism and the new work methods available to us thanks to information technologies.

Students from universities in ten countries, specifically Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Spain, the Philippines, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Portugal, will compete to earn a spot in the final phase of the competition that will take place at the multinational's headquarters in Mexico City, and to obtain the top prize: an employment contract with Indra in any of the participating countries. Panama is participating in the contest for the first time, while the Philippines, which has been involved consecutively since the second edition that took place in 2012, arranged an inter-university league beforehand to select the two universities that will represent the country.

In the Indra Future Minds Competition, university students will have to face the challenges of today's business world, such as working with collaborative tools and in virtual environments, and developing non-technical skills like team work, all within a multicultural scenario.

There are a total of 16 teams, each comprised by three students and a reserve chosen by the corresponding university or the multinational from final year students based on their academic records and skills. These teams will have to resolve several enigmas based on actual Indra projects that range from designing an educational solution in the cloud to testing an international integrated maritime border surveillance system, a complete technological platform for the insurance sector, or developing an Earth observation project.

120 students from 12 countries and 37 universities have already competed in the three previous editions to obtain the top prize: an employment contract with Indra in one of the participating countries once they have finished their studies. The objective is to provide the three members of the winning team with an international experience that will help them develop a global profile, while recruiting the best talent for Indra, regardless of the location.

International collaboration in the virtual phase

In the first phase, which will take place between 24 February and 23 March, participants from two teams of different countries will form an international team in which they will have to collaborate virtually to resolve one of the proposed enigmas. As a result, the students will have the opportunity to experience new ways of interacting in the business world using state-of-the-art technology, communicating, working as a team and sharing information in real time with people from different countries, just like today's global companies.

The students will also interact virtually with Indra professionals since each enigma will have a virtual classroom and a digital meeting in which the multinational's project managers for each enigma will explain the project details and resolve any doubts that may arise as the work is completed.

This will consist of a presentation with the proposed solution for the enigma, along with any additional documentation the team would like to include. The students will have to introduce their group, explain the corresponding enigma, how their solution provides innovation and added value, and what makes the team and the idea special. The criteria for assessing the proposals will be based on Indra's values: determination, rigour, awareness and originality.

Trip to Mexico to compete in the final phase

Two of the multinational teams from the virtual phase will qualify for the final phase, which will take place on 24 and 25 April in Mexico City. There, they will compete in person and be divided into their original university teams. This final phase will combine fun activities and knowledge of Indra with problem solving. All the students of the four teams that have reached this phase will receive an electronic tablet as a gift.

In this fourth edition of the Indra Future Minds Competition, the participating universities are: Universidade de Sao Paulo and Universidade Federal de Bahía, of Brazil; Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira and Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Universidad Federico Santa María, of Chile; Universidad de Alcalá de Henares and Universidad de Deusto, of Spain; De La Salle University and University of Philippines-Diliman, of the Philippines; Politécnico di Bari, of Italy; Escuela Superior de Cómputo del Instituto Politécnico Nacional of Mexico (with two teams); Universidad Tecnológica de Panama; Universidad Peruana de Ciencias and Universidad Católica del Peru; and the Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, of Portugal.

Talent management at Indra

As a technological, innovative and global company, with this contest Indra's aim is to offer students an international experience through virtual work tools. Multicultural experience, familiarity with different projects and global vision are precisely the aspects most appreciated by the students who participated in the previous editions.

Recruiting, developing and retaining talent is a fundamental area for Indra's sustainability, making it a strategic priority. The Indra Future Minds Competition helps the company find the best talent and build closer relationships with universities throughout the world. Indra currently works with more than 200 universities and research centres through chairs, agreements and R&D projects, allowing the company to access new technologies and recruit professionals.

Indra's strong talent management practices have allowed it to become one of the leading companies in the world in terms of sustainability. The company has renewed its presence in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the eighth consecutive year.

Indra is the leading Spanish multinational consulting and technology firm and one of the main players in Europe and Latin America. Innovation is the cornerstone of its business and sustainability, having allocated €550 million to R&D in the last three years, making it one of the leading companies in Europe in its sector in terms of investment. With sales approaching €3 billion, nearly 60% of its income is from the international market. The company employs 42,000 professionals and has customers in 128 countries.

(More information in press office).