The Student Chapter was formed in 2009 and its development was connected to the experiences of Dr Huixing Zhou. Dr Zhou became a member of the Institution in 2003, while he was working at 600 Group’s base in Leeds, UK. In 2006 Dr Zhou returned to China, and became Professor at the Chinese Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing. He helped to set up the CAU SC in 2009 while Dr Colin Brown of the Institution’s HQ was visiting CAU for the official inauguration.
Former Chair of the Chapter, LinYing Shangguan, says: “The main reason to form the CAU SC is to provide Chinese students with an opportunity to get to know the Institution better, and to become a part of a worldwide recognized mechanical engineering organization. We promote the Institution in China, and seek collaboration opportunities between China and the UK in mechanical engineering fields.”
There are currently over 80 members and, in total, around 300 students at CAU have taken part on committees. The Chapter is constantly recruiting new members and expanding. The Chapter organizes the annual Speak Out for Engineering competition and last year ran the Design Competition for Visually Impaired, and features its own activities, such as: Steam Car Competition, Wind-Power Car Competition, LED DIY training. The Wind-Power Car competition, for example, took place after mid-term examinations, and 36 teams attended the final. After the speed trials, twelve teams were selected to go onto the presentation stage.
Members of the SC enjoy benefits such as great recognition from similar institutions based in the College of Engineering at CAU, which provides the Chapter with its own office. The Chapter attends the annual exhibition of the CAU Technology Festival, and teams which take part in the Chapter’s own competitions are awarded prizes and certificates.
The Chapter has also great connections with business. MD of Kent Engineering Ltd, Mr David Ho, is highly supportive of the CAU SC and the Institution. In 2013, the Chapter organized a 20-day internship to his mechanical and industrial engineering company based in Hong Kong.
The CAU SC brings engineering studies and extra-curricular projects and competitions together for its increasing numbers of members. As LinYing comments, it offers a chance to get away from books for a while and enjoy the other aspects of training to be an engineer. The enthusiasm and commitment of every member of the Chapter is whole-hearted and brings much happiness.
To find out more, visit www.imechecau.org