The Grundfos Prize Student Award is a global award celebrating and recognizing the efforts of students, who are (or have been) working for Grundfos in connection with their study. The winners are selected by an international Grundfos Jury among nominees from across the globe, nominated by the managers they worked with during their time with Grundfos in the fall ’23 orspring ’24 semesters.
The winners of the 2024 Grundfos Prize Student Award with Foundation CEO Kim Nøhr Skibsted and Jesper Gabriel. Photo: Lars Holm
A prize of DKK 25,000 is awarded to each of the following:
- one Student Assistant, (who part time have been engaged with Grundfos during their study)
- one Student Intern (who joined Grundfos full time as part of a semester)
- one Project Student / or group of Project Students (who collaborated with Grundfos on a project).
This year’s winners
Student Assistant: John Julius Flounders (Denmark)
John was nominated for his exceptional contributions to our sustainability efforts at Grundfos. His work on the “shaft seals for variable speed” project has brought a significant advancement in the quest for reliability.
“John has not only demonstrated his technical expertise but also his commitment to sustainability. His work has had a tangible impact on our products and processes, reinforcing Grundfos’s position as a leader in sustainable water solutions,” said Jesper Gabriel, Head of Business HR Industry, Grundfos.
John’s dedication to addressing the reliability challenges of the CRE shaft seals has had a profound impact on the sustainable product line. Additionally, his efforts to streamline the material selection process through the development of an automated data collection procedure have paved the way for designing next-generation sustainable pumps.
John Julius Flounders was awarded the 2024 Grundfos Prize Student Award for best student assistant. Photo: Lars Holm
Student Intern : Jelena Laćarac (Serbia)
During her internship, Jelena has played a crucial role in projects like the Supervisor Academy and psychological analysis of students and mentors, enhancing leadership skills and mentor-mentee relationships.
“From organizing well-being workshops to creating the “Wall of Fame,” Jelena has taken concrete actions to ensure a supportive and inclusive work environment. Jelena’s initiatives and proactive approach to employee well-being exemplify our commitment to putting people first,” said Jesper Gabriel, Head of Business HR Industry, Grundfos.
With her ambition to improve our HR processes and passion for employee well-being, she has organized workshops, such as “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” and “Let’s Talk About Mental Health,” fostering an environment of open dialogue and connection. This dedication has made a significant impact on our workplace.
Jelena Laćarac was awarded the 2024 Grundfos prize student award for best intern. Photo: Lars Holm
Student Project group: Christian Troelsgaard and Frederik Tobias Elmstrøm (Denmark)
Christian and Frederik’s project focused on minimizing deformation during the sintering process by utilizing topology optimization. This technique could optimize material distribution, leading to more consistent and accurate results.
“Not only have Christian and Frederik excelled in innovation, but their project also aligns with our core sustainability values. By focusing on reducing waste and enhancing energy efficiency, they contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing process, ” said Jesper Gabriel, Head of Business HR Industry, Grundfos.
With their achievements, Grundfos is one step closer to enhancing the reliability and quality of our Metal Binder Jet (MBJ) 3D-printed parts, resulting in cost savings and increased customer satisfaction.
Christian Troelsgaard and Frederik Tobias Elmstrøm (Denmark) were awarded the 2024 Grundfos Prize Student Award for best Student Project group. Photo: Lars Holm
Nominations for next year’s prizes will open around 1 June, 2025. The selection process is overseen by Grundfos (Contact: HR Employer Branding).