Strathclyde Undergraduates Reach Grand Finals of Engineering for People Design Challenge

Two teams of Strathclyde undergraduates have successfully advanced to the Grand Finals of the Engineering for People Design Challenge, organized by Engineers Without Borders UK.

The competition, which attracts over 11,000 university students, focuses on raising awareness of the social, environmental, and economic impacts of engineering. This year’s challenge scenario is set in the rural village of Pu Ngaol, situated in the forested hills of the Mondulkiri province in eastern Cambodia.

The first team from the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Strathclyde comprises third-year students Cara Winterburn, Christopher Skinner, Hannah Tyndale, Michael Reid-Thomas, and Ruairidh Revill Hayward. Their project aims to address pollution and waste issues by introducing an innovative solution that transforms plastic bottles into ropes.

The second team, representing the Design Manufacturing & Engineering Management department, consists of second-year students Louisa Duncan, Evan Goldie, Isobel Tame, Jude Young, and Jack Evans. Their focus lies on flood prevention during extreme weather conditions while facilitating year-round field irrigation. They have developed a unique inflatable flood barrier that can adapt to the landscape and be conveniently stored when not in use.

On June 21, the students will present their concepts to a panel of judges comprising academics, non-governmental organizations, Engineers Without Borders UK representatives, and industry experts at the Grand Finals in Manchester.

The Engineering for People Design Challenge has engaged over 60,000 students since its inception in 2011, with participation from various institutions in countries like Cameroon, South Africa, UK, Ireland, and the US. At Strathclyde, the challenge has been integrated into the curricula of three engineering departments: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Design Manufacturing & Engineering Management.

Through their academic endeavors, the teams have explored opportunities for enhancing environmental systems and livelihoods in and around Pu Ngaol. Following a rigorous selection process, the top five teams from each university submitted their designs for evaluation by more than 200 international reviewers, leading to the selection of the top 36 teams for the Grand Finals event.