USW student named first-ever winner of IOSH competition
9 May, 2024
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A University of South Wales (USW) student has been named as the first-ever Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Student Competition winner.
Justin Ozioma Amanze, who left his native Nigeria to study for an MSc in Safety, Health and Environmental Management at USW, claimed the inaugural winners’ certificate and £500 prize offered in the international contest, set by the global body for health and safety professionals.
Justin managed to hold the IOSH judges’ attention in front of an impressive trio of women runners-up, who each received a certificate and £150 prize.
The competition entrants were set a written exercise requiring them to respond to a work-based problem in a way that demonstrated both their technical knowledge and broader communication skills. The scenario focused on a construction company wanting to explore the possibility of introducing wearable technology capable of monitoring biometric data of workers, including heart rate, body temperature, and fatigue levels.
Justin showed his collaborative team ethic in his reaction to winning the award, saying: “I dedicate this win to everyone who works hard to achieve the highest standards in occupational safety and health.
“I look forward to continuing our collective efforts to create a safer and healthier workplace environment worldwide.”
Trevor Price, course leader of the MSc in Safety, Health and Environmental Management at USW, said: “We are delighted that Justin has been honoured as the first winner of the IOSH Student Member Competition, and was able to use the knowledge gained while studying at the University to guide his entry.
“Justin is an inspiration to his peers, and will hopefully encourage more students to follow in his footsteps and study for a career in the sector.”
IOSH President Stuart Hughes added: “This was an incredible opportunity for students to showcase their skills and tackle a real-world occupational safety and health challenge.
“We live in a world of rapidly accelerating technology, new ways of working and changing priorities. Our challenge tested students’ technical knowledge but also, most importantly, their workplace communication skills.”