In 2009, the LUI and the Vibacom company have launched a competition for the best student article on innovation. The competition is open to all students interested in writing on innovation, innovation processes and innovators regardless of their fields of study. Their articles have to observe the InJo (Innovation Journalism) standards. The aim of the competition is to increase Slovene coverage of innovation and its quality and to encourage students to become bold and creative thinkers.
The competition will also be organized in the following years in order to encourage as many young people as possible to ponder on innovation and to increase the importance of innovation in Slovenia.
Deadline: 27 March 2009
Award ceremony: 15 April 2009, InCo Conference 2009
The author of the best article will be given the opportunity to attend the “Innovation Journalism” Conference taking place in May 2009 at the Stanford University, USA, with travel and living expenses being covered by the LUI.
CRITERIA:
The article introducing a story about an innovative product, service, technological or non-technological innovations (business models, processes) and/or innovative individuals (hereinafter referred to as the SUBJECT OF OBSERVATION) has to meet the following criteria:
1. The article has to raise awareness of the importance of innovation
a) By clearly defining the innovate character of the subject of observation,
b) By clearly defining the advantages of the subject of observation,
c) By clearly defining the shortcomings of the subject of observation.
2. The article has to shed light on the role of the subject of observation in the innovation process (conception, prototype, implementation, market manifestation)
a) By clearly defining the process underlying the creation or functioning of the subject of observation,
b) By clearly defining the impact (positive and negative) of the subject of observation on the market.
3. By taking into account the subject of observation, the article has to critically address the collaboration between various agents of innovation (science, economy, state, local communities, educational systems, art and creative industries, NGOs, media).
4. The article has to shed light on one or several potential manners in which the subject of observation can affect the future of an individual, organization or society.
When assessing the students’ articles, the jury will also take into account an additional criterion: the use of innovative journalism in the coverage of the subject of observation. More precisely, it will assess the use of:
a) Well-known contemporary media (websites, e-mail, chat, blog, mobile telephony (SMS), GPS, computer games, virtual reality, iTV, etc.),
b) New forms of expression and/or new forms of textuality,
c) Original media solutions.
APPLICATION:
The competition will award the best student article. Students’ articles can be proposed by their authors, as well as by editorial boards or other groups, organizations or individuals.
The articles submitted will be assessed by a special jury, depending on the type of award.
The articles can be submitted in various formats, including those of the print media and/or electronic media or new media.
The articles submitted have to include the following data:
- Name and surname of the proposer (or the official name of the organization in the case of a legal entity),
- Name and surname of the author of the article,
- E-mail address of the author,
- Telephone number of the author,
- Name and issue of the media in which the article was published, and date of publication,
- Hard copy or scanned article in electronic form or link to the article as proof of authorship,
- Author’s statement that s/he and the original publisher agree with the publication of her/his article on the official website and in the printed edition of the InJo Award 2009.
- Document showing that the author is a university student (only for the category “university students’ articles”).
Previous publication of the articles submitted is not a precondition for application. University students, high school students and pupils can write their articles for the sake of the InJo Jr. or InJo Ba project itself. The application can be handed in by the authors themselves or by their mentors. The articles must date to 2008 or 2009 (prior to the deadline).
The articles together with proof of student status should be sent to the e-mail address tina.cok@lui.uni-lj.si or to the address LUI d.o.o., Vojkova 63, 1000 Ljubljana. If you need more information about the competition or would like to get in touch with innovators, do not hesitate to call us (tel. 01/6203 480) or write to us or pay us a visit.
The deadline for APPLICATIONS is 27 March 2009. The InJo Awards and Prizes 2009 will be conferred at the InCo Conference 2009 that will take place on 15 April 2009 in Ljubljana.
Jury members:
- Dušan Snoj as chairman
- Violeta Bulc, MA (Vibacom d.o.o.)
- Polona Pibernik (Mediade d.o.o.)
- Marko Milosavljević, PhD (Faculty of Social Sciences)
- Lidija Honzak, PhD (Ljubljana University Incubator)
Enterprising researchers 
