Institution news
IMechE Pakistan works very closely with SMME-NUST; particular thanks and appreciation must be given to the faculty, namely Dr Aamir Mubasher. This recent competition is an example of the cooperation between us. The overwhelming response and the success of the competition reflects how close coordination between IMechE UK and Pakistan can assist in improving the quality of education, opening up doors for future collaboration.
The judges
Lec. Muhammad Suhail, Vice Prinicipal SMME-NUST
Dr Aamir Mubashar, Assistant Professor SMME-NUST
Lec. Naqash Afzal, Associate Professor
The challenge
The teams were asked to design a repeatable vehicle using mechanical distance measuring techniques. A wide variety of concepts were presented, many of which amazed the judges.
The designs generally fell into the following categories:
- Electric motor powered with the distance measurement technique as:
a. Winding and unwinding a nylon thread along a pully.
b. Movement along the leadscrew.
- Mechanically powered using rubber bands and torsional springs with the distance
measuring technique as the twisting and untwisting of the spring.
IMechE is trying to streamline all of its activities with the school curricula so that it strengthens engineering skills of students, instead of pulling them away from enhancing their core skills. This particular challenge was incorporated into the Engineering Statics curriculum and graded under the course.
The Principal of SMME, Dr. Abdul Ghafoor was extremely pleased by the enthusiasm shown by the freshmen students. Seeing the passion and spirit of engineering this challenge has inspired in the students, he has asked IMechE Pakistan group to introduce more such programmes into the curricula of NUST. The challenge provided the students with a great learning experience, as many of them confirmed later in video interviews.
For new engineers, working in newly formed teams with delegated tasks is difficult. This event gave them a taste of how to form teams and then divide responsibility among each other. NUST being a premier institute of the country hosts people from all strata of the society. It was an excellent opportunity for different cultures to intermingle and work together to innovate and engineer.
A major difference observed this year was the larger number of women participating. Not only were they leading the organising committee, they were also keen members of the participating teams. Events like these will only further encourage women in Pakistan to express themselves even strongly on such platforms.
The results
1st place: Mueed-Ur-Rehman, Athar Nadeem, Arbaaz Qazi, Aanish Tahir
2nd place: Mehtab Ashar, Anas Ali, Talha Shahid
3rd place: Faran Raza, Hammad Farooq, Ehtisham Raza, Ahmed Ihsan
The team of Hamna Rahim, Hamza Haseeb and Furqan Mansoor stole the limelight with their exquisite design. Their vehicle was made entirely of recyclable material and used no electrical components. Although their entry couldn’t win the competition, the judges gave them a special mention for their excellent work. Their entry can be seen below.
A big thumbs up to their team and to the winners!