Voices Magazine-Issue

29 February 2018 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica T he American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Engineering Design Graphics Division (EDGD) in collaboration with the University of Technology, Jamaica through its Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) hosted the 72nd EDGD Mid-year Conference held from January 4 – 6, 2018 at the Holiday Inn, Sunspree Resort Hotel in Montego Bay. The objective of the conference was to promote teaching and research in engineering and to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and concepts among engineering students, lecturers and experts in the field of engineering. The three-day Conference comprised six technical sessions which focused on areas such as the fundamentals of engineering graphics, developing and identifying graphics expertise, emerging ideas in graphics education, spatial visualization, graphic strategies for student engagement, the application of engineering graphics to other disciplines and women in Engineering in Jamaica. A keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Nilza Smith, Dean, Faculty of the Engineering and Computing spoke on “Women in Engineering” in which she addressed the global challenge of encouraging females to pursue engineering as well as retaining those already in the profession. Prof. Smith recommended that the deficit in female engineers can be addressed by creating awareness among parents, exposing girls at the primary and secondary levels to engineering education through seminars and using accomplished female engineers as role models and mentors. International institutions represented at the Conference included Purdue University; Dublin Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley; University of Nebraska, Virginia Tech, University of Cincinnati, Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), North Carolina State University, University of Texas and East Carolina University among others. The American Society for Engineering Education was founded in 1893 and is a non-profit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. In pursuit of academic excellence, ASEE develops policies and programs that enhance professional opportunities for engineering faculty members, and promotes activities that support increased student enrolments in engineering and engineering technology institutions. UTech, Jamaica Engineering Students Shine in Poster Competition A major highlight of the conference was the staging of a poster competition with seven entries from UTech, Jamaica Bachelor of Engineering – Civil Engineering students. The winning poster design titled, Structural Re- design and Retrofitting of Building was submitted by O’Shane Thompson, Al-Raheem James, Adien Greenaway and Ruthven Wilson. The concept of the poster was the use of innovative construction processes and materials to restore derelict buildings while maintaining their architectural originality. Students, Kimberly Campbell, Kadeja Spencer and Allison Mullings emerged second place winners with their entry titled, Composite Bamboo-concrete Building which explored the use of composite bamboo-concrete blocks for construction purposes. Third place was won by Ricardo Hunter, Jevais Sterling and Swain Mitchell for their piece, New and Improved Plasma Cutter. International Engineering Conference (Left to right) Mr. Dwight Ricketts, President, Jamaica Institution of Engineers, Prof. Nilza Aples, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing, University of Technology, Jamaica, Prof. Norm Loney, co-organizer, University of Cincinnati, USA, Dr. Marva Blankson, Programme Director, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC), UTech, Ja., Dr. Noel Brown, Head, School of Engineering, UTech, Ja. pose for a photograph at the 72nd EDGD Mid-year engineering conference held January 4 – 6, 2018 at the Holiday Inn, Sunspree Resort, Montego Bay, St. James. Mr. Oshane Thompson (left), civil engineering student, School of Engineering, UTech, Ja explains his winning design to a conference participant. School of Engineering student and project team member Mr. Al-Raheem James (centre) looks on.