PRESS RELEASE
worldsteel announces the world champions of steelChallenge-11
Beijing, 11 April 2017 – The World Steel Association (worldsteel) today announced the new world
champions of the 11th steelChallenge. ZHOU Wentao from HBIS Group Co. Ltd. in China won in
the industry category and LI Chia-Chun from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, China
won in the student category.
The world championship of the 11th steelChallenge took place in Beijing, China on 11 April 2017. The 10
winners from the regional championship competed for the global title in these two categories. The task
was to produce steel grade AISI 1018, a mild/low carbon steel used in applications like tooling and
machine parts, at the lowest cost, using the Basic Oxygen Furnace steelmaking simulator.
Edwin Basson, Director General of worldsteel, said, “We saw 1,479 participants from 37 countries
worldwide compete for the title of regional champion in this steelChallenge. It is very encouraging to me
that I see these students and young industry professionals so engaged with steeluniversity and learning
more about our industry. I thank all of the participants and congratulate our two winners.”
The 2017 World Champion in the industry category, ZHOU Wentao, said, “I put in a lot of work to
prepare for this competition, so it’s really great to win. I appreciate the chance to participate in
steelChallenge and it was nice to meet some CEOs.”
LI Chai-Chun, the World Champion in the student category for 2017, said, “This was a fantastic
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experience to be here in Beijing and to meet these different people. I am very happy to have won and I
am grateful for the support of my advisors. I think it will help me with my studies and my career.”
Photos of the event are available on Flickr.
The World Champions are:
Student Category
Name
Affiliation
Country
LI Chia-Chun
National Chung Hsing University
Taiwan, China
Industry Category
Name
Affiliation
Country
ZHOU Wentao
HBIS Group Co. Ltd.
China
The Regional Champions are:
Student Category
Region
Name
Affiliation
Country
North and South America
Jeová MELO
Universidade Federal
do Ceara
Brazil
The University
of Sheffield
United Kingdom
Europe/CIS/Africa/Middle
Mozart QUEIROZ NETO
East
Asia and Oceania
LI Chia-Chun
National Chung Hsing
University
Taiwan, China
China
MA Shuaichao
Chongqing University of
Science & Technology
China
Best Runner-Up
YU Cheng-Wei
National Chung Hsing
University
Taiwan, China
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Industry Category
Region
Name
Affiliation
Country
North and South America
Mateus PAULINO
Companhia Siderúrgica
do Pecém
Brazil
Europe/CIS/Africa/Middle
East
Ahmed Abdallah
ABDELFATAH
Al Ezz Dekhila
Iron & Steel Co.
Egypt
Asia and Oceania
Nageshwar KUMAR
Tata Steel Ltd.
India
China
ZHOU Wentao
HBIS Group Co. Ltd
China
Best Runner-Up
Ravi KUMAR
Tata Steel Ltd.
India
More information on steelChallenge is available on the steeluniversity website.
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Notes to Editors:
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steeluniversity, an initiative of the World Steel Association, is an industry university, delivering
education and training to current and future employees of steel companies and related
businesses. The goal of steeluniversity is to inspire and motivate students and steel industry
people about the value of working in the steel industry to lead change for realising a more
sustainable industry that serves a more sustainable world.
China Steel Corporation is a ‘Steel’ level sponsor of steelChallenge-11. ‘Silver’ level sponsors
are Tenaris, Ternium and Tata Steel Limited. JFE Steel and Nucor Corporation are ‘Bronze’
level sponsors.
The World Steel Association is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in
the world. worldsteel members represent approximately 85% of the world's steel production,
including over 160 steel producers with 9 of the 10 largest steel companies, national and
regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes.
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