steelChallenge-15 World Championship Finalists
Student Category
Andre GUIMARAES
Finance Student, Westminster University
Regional Champion, Europe and Africa
Andre studied Engineering at Universidade Federal do Ceara (Brazil) before moving to London, where he started studying Finance.
“I’ve known steelChallenge since I was studying Engineering in Brazil and it was always something of interest for me as steeluniversity is a well-recognised organisation worldwide. Therefore, I took the opportunity to compete in the steelChallenge-15 Regional Championship. I am grateful to be the Regional Champion, as it gives me the prospect of competing in the World Championship.”
“I believe this achievement will have a great impact on my employability and it will open many doors in my future career. And of course it is a huge personal accomplishment. I am looking forward to competing in the steelChallenge-15 World Championship and I will give my best to be victorious once more.”
Darley LIMA
PhD Student in Engineering and Materials Science, Federal University of Ceara
Regional Champion, Americas
Darley is currently pursuing, since 2020, a PhD in Engineering and Materials Science at the Federal University of Ceara. At the same university, he obtained his master’s degree in Engineering and Materials Science in 2018. That same year, he obtained an MBA in Project Management at UniAteneu.
Darley currently works in the LPC – Corrosion Research Laboratory. He first joined the Corrosion Research Laboratory in 2016, consulting at Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém and Termoelétrica Pecém.
Before joining LPC, Darley gained experience at LAMEFF – Fracture and Fatique Mechanismms Laboratory.
“I participated in steelChallenge-15 because I believe that the challenge is not only a way to prepare professionals for an increasingly advanced and technological steel production market, but also offers brilliant young people the opportunity to stand out in the industrial market.
In addition to these main points, there is a strength that also motivates me to always participate in the challenge. The hope that, in some way, my trajectory can influence more young poor people to believe that it is possible to win through education.”
“I believe that with the conquest of the challenge more industrial opportunities will arise as well as the opportunity to pass on the knowledge acquired in this long journey to victory.”
Abdelrahman HOSNY GOMMA
Mechanical Engineering Student, Abu Dhabi University
Regional Champion, Asia West
Abdelrahman graduated from his high school, the International Academics School, as an Honor Roll student in the science subjects. Currently, he is studying Mechanical Engineering at Abu Dhabi University and maintains a 3.9 GPA.
“I participated in steelChallenge for many reasons. Of course the main one is the fact that I’m very determined to challenge myself and want to improve and learn, steelChallenge helps me achieve that. Other than that, I was determined to become the first Arab to win the challenge in the region. Hopefully I’ll become the first Arab to become World Champion. I believe steelChallenge can boost my chances when looking for jobs, help me to stand out and allow me to have an advantage when applying. It will also give me a bit of publicity in the field and maybe even grants me the opportunity to work for Emirates Steel.”
Zhihao ZHENG
Junior Student Metallurgical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology
Regional Champion, Asia North
Zhihao was born March 25, 2000 in Xiaogan, Hubei, China. He is a junior student at Wuhan University of Science and Technology majoring in metallurgical engineering, with hopes of completing his bachelor’s degree in the summer of 2022. He has been recommended to WUST for postgraduate studies because of his excellent performance.
After graduation, he aspires to work for the metallurgical industry as an engineer.
He likes to participate in science and technology competitions in his spare time. As an international competition in the steel industry, Zhihao believes steelChallenge-15 can enhance his own professional knowledge.
Ik Hwan KWON
Senior Student, Donga University
Regional Champion, Asia East and Oceania
Ik Hwan is pursuing a degree at the Materials Science and Engineering Department of Donga University. He is a senior student.
“I participated in steelChallenge because it is a contest related to what I’m learning at university. It was a good experience, although it was an intense process. I don’t think I have ever used so much energy in one day before. I believe this achievement will be helpful for working with in steel in the future.”
Industry Category
Alexander NESMEEV
Steelmaking Expert, TMK
Regional Champion, Europe and Africa
Alexander worked as a steelmaker for 11 years. Currently he works as a steelmaking expert. He participates in the introduction of digital production at TMK, in particular in the creation of the MES system.
In January of this year he defended his master’s thesis and received a master’s degree in ferrous metallurgy from the Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin.
“I participated in steelChallenge because I really like the simulators and wanted to test my knowledge, qualifications and abilities. I really hope that a successful performance will give my career a boost.”
Bruno GALDINO
Senior Sales Analyst, Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém
Regional Champion, Americas
Bruno currently works as Senior Sales Analyst at CSP. Before joining CSP, he gained experience as a Process Analyst and Technical Salesman at Polimatec.
At the Federal University of Ceara, Bruno obtained his degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 2016. During his studies, he spent a year at the University of Science and Technology Beijing and did an internship at an iron making plant in Xuzhou. He furthered his education between 2016 and 2018 with an MBA in Project Management at Unichristus in Ceara, Brazil.
Bruno is no stranger to steelChallenge. He reached the top 4 in his region in the industry category in steelChallenge-14.
Uday Kumar BHAKAT
Junior Engineer, Tata Steel Limited
Regional Champion, Asia West
After completing his training as a Junior Engineer Trainee at Shavak Nanavati Technical Institute (SNTI), Uday joined Tata Steel Ltd. as a Junior Engineer. He joined Tata Steel in 2019 right after he obtained his diploma from the Government Polytechnic in Adityapur. Uday was an active member in a technical exhibition organised by SNTI with the project name “Online Detection of Rhomboidity in Continuous Casting”.
“steelChallenge gives a lot exposure to the practical aspects of steelmaking. I have personally learnt various concepts and strategies about the secondary steelmaking and continuous casting. It not only provides theoretical knowledge but also provides a practical approach to steelmaking. Participation in this challenge was a part of our training at SNTI to give the trainees an exposure to the process of steel making.”
“The overall experience of this journey will have a significant impact on my career in the steel industry. The overall knowledge and information that I gained, have sharpened my skills and abilities which will definitely give me an edge over others.”
Xiaowei SHI (晓伟 石)
Product Development Engineer, HBIS Group
Regional Champion, Asia North
Xiaowei, born in June 1991, graduated with a master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Northeastern University in July 2015. Currently, he serves as a product development engineer within HBIS Group. He has been engaged in product development and steelmaking process research, he is committed to improving the cleanliness of molten steel for the automobile industry and promoting the progress of steelmaking technology.
“steelChallenge is recognised by the global steel community as the preeminent competition to engage students and industry professionals to showcase their ability. It is the highest level and most authoritative competition in the steel industry. It’s a great honor for me to participate in this competition. There are many similarities between the steelChallenge simulation system and the actual production, which has great guiding significance for the on-site production. Through participating in steelChallenge, I can compete with outstanding talents of many famous steel plants in the world, broaden my vision and improve my technical skills.”
“It will be an unforgettable experience for me to take part in the steelchallenge and get good results in the competition. Through participating in the steelchallenge, I have improved my theoretical knowledge and got to know many excellent talents in the iron and steel industry. What makes me proud is that I can stand out in the competition, live up to my efforts and win honor for HBIS Group.”
Jung-Ho Choi
Steelmaking Engineer, POSCO
Regional Champion, Asia East and Oceania
During his studies at Hanyang University, Jung-Ho spent two semesters as an exchange student at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
He first joined POSCO in 2015 and worked in several functions, namely Steelmaking Engineer, Cost Analysis Engineer, and Technical Service Engineer. Currently, he serves as a Steelmaking Engineer in the Steelmaking Development Departement.
“I have been participating in steelChallenge for six years. In this field, everyone knows this simulation challenge and, of course, I also think
everyone wants to become a finalist and win the prizes. As I participated over the years, I realized that this simulation competition is based on a deeper meaning and knowledge beyond just a game, which means that the prize in the competition can be a world-class honor.”
“My company attributes great value to becoming a finalist or winner in this competition. Also, I think it will give me much pride for the process optimization or the development of steelmaking technology that I am doing in my smart factory system building job.”
steelChallenge15 is generously sponsored by the following companies:
