Institution news
Hosted by IMechE’s Middle East & Africa (ME&A) Region at the prestigious Heriot-Watt University, the competition celebrated its 60th anniversary, making this year’s event particularly significant. This milestone week of activities, running from 3-7 November, brought together industry leaders, global delegates, and talented young professionals in a vibrant demonstration of engineering's potential to address global challenges.
Preparations and Strategic Meetings
Volunteer Engagement Week began on 3 November with the arrival of international delegates, who were welcomed at the Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City in Dubai. Networking opportunities enabled participants to engage informally, setting the tone for a productive week. On 4 November, the International Strategy Board (ISB) convened at Heriot-Watt University for discussions on IMechE’s strategic direction, while the International Young Members Committee (IYMC) held parallel meetings. This day also served as preparation time for the SOfE finalists, who refined their presentations for the eagerly anticipated competition. IMechE volunteer engagement week, Dubai, lead event organiser and Vice Chair, UAE IMechE Panel Faisal Saeed, International Operations Executive Mary Newton, and Tom Owen (Senior Business Development Manager – International) facilitated the event and engaged with local UAE student chapters, fostering collaboration and dialogue.
The Global SOfE Finals 2023
5 November marked the pinnacle of the week—the Global SOfE Finals. The competition provided a platform for young engineers to present innovative solutions addressing contemporary challenges. Participants represented diverse regions, showcasing expertise and creativity in their chosen fields.
The finalists and their presentations were:
- Winner: Lakdinu De Silva (Southern Asia Region) – “Engineering a World Without Fossil Fuels – Sri Lanka”
- Runner-up: Sarah Kuti (UK and Ireland Region) – “The Science of Turbofan Propulsion”
Other Finalists:
- Eddie Chung (South East Asia Region) – “Flying Cars, and Why We Don’t Need Them”
- Mina Abdella (Middle East and Africa Region) – “Net Zero Hydrogen Reproduction”
- Yiwei Xu (North East Asia Region) – “Nuclear Fusion: Magic of Creating Something Out of Nothing”
- Yannic Lorenz (Europe Region) – “Case Hardening Simulation Using the Finite Elements Method”
The competition underscored SOfE’s mission to combine technical excellence with public speaking prowess.
Technical Exploration and Cultural Engagement
6 November was dedicated to both technical exploration and cultural engagement. Delegates participated in a technical tour hosted by Aggreko, where they explored innovative energy management solutions. Simultaneously, ISB and IYMC members engaged with local UAE student chapters to discuss sustainability and the future of engineering.
The day concluded with a cultural tour of Abu Dhabi, offering attendees insights into the UAE’s blend of modernity and tradition. This experience not only deepened delegates’ appreciation of Emirati culture but also strengthened bonds among the global IMechE community.
Conclusion of the Week
On 7 November, the Volunteer Engagement Week concluded as delegates departed with new perspectives, professional connections, and a collective commitment to advancing engineering excellence. The event left a lasting impression, reflecting IMechE’s global mission to empower engineers and promote sustainability.
Why This Matters to IMechE and Beyond
The SOfE Finals and Volunteer Engagement Week are emblematic of IMechE’s core mission to “improve the world through engineering.” By empowering young engineers, the event provided a platform for them to present innovative solutions to pressing global challenges while honing their public speaking and technical skills. The week also fostered global collaboration, bringing together delegates from diverse regions and professional backgrounds, thereby strengthening international ties and cultural exchange within the Institution.
Sustainability was another key theme, with many presentations addressing renewable energy and zero-emission technologies, reaffirming engineering’s critical role in shaping a sustainable future. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of SOfE further underscored the competition’s legacy of inspiring excellence and fostering innovation. Through events like this, IMechE continues to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and integrity, while inspiring the global engineering community to make meaningful contributions to society.