Engineers Without Borders

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Jonas Lejarre, a third year BEng Civil Engineering student, writes about EWB, Engineers Without Borders, a charity that focuses on international development.

“Engineers Without Borders UK inspires and supports people to respond to global challenges using science, technology and engineering”.

We are a student-led branch at Newcastle and are part of a wider national EWB-UK and international network that regroup thousands of members, students and professional alike.

What do we do in our branch at Newcastle University?

Activities are varied and you can always find yourselves interested in one of them. EWB-Newcastle host talks on sustainable cities as well as inviting local charities to tell us more about what they do. Local charities are a great chance for everyone to learn more about their work abroad but it also offers the chance to learn about exciting opportunities with them. If you like talks but also want your voice heard, as part of the global EWB network we go to other universities to participate in debate generally around international development or sustainability. You can also get involved with Outreach, a program aimed at promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to school children. EWB works with the STEM program and local schools by providing activities and small projects, such as building a small wind turbine to demonstrate our need for clean and sustainable source of energy.

Although, only started in the beginning of 2016 EWB-Newcastle is now paired with TONIBUNG, a non-governmental organisation in Malaysia through a Member Led Partnership. An MLP provides students the opportunity to take part in development projects, while working closely with organisations local to the people that are being helped. One project has involved a problem that we have been given to design and develop a piece of equipment that regulates the electrical power generated and delivered to remove communities. It needs to be reliable and yet simple enough so that it can be maintained by village technicians, as our role is to make sure those communities do not rely on us on for its maintenance. Once designed, the solutions will be implemented by some of our members over the summer holidays in Malaysia.

A development project through EWB-Newcastle.

Let’s not forget, this is a student society and as such we have plenty social activity. From going Ice skating, bowling or to just grab a bite at the comedy club. It is also a good chance to meet people outside your course but also for networking as we work with the local professional EWB network here in Newcastle.

BEng Civil Engineering at Newcastle University

Video about Civil Engineering at Newcastle University

EWB Newcastle University

Earth Science Field Course

Posted on 21 March, 2016 by ntmb5

Studying at university doesn’t just involve lectures. In our latest blog post, Hannah, a first year Earth Science student, writes about her 6 day field course that starts today.

The ‘Geology and GIS’ module in the first year of my Earth Science degree course, will be spent on a 6 day field trip in the Lake District.

We’re going to spend time in the mountainous areas studying the diverse geology and we will be visiting local working quarries. One of the aims of this trip is to introduce field mapping. Our field observation and measurement skills will be developed and we will use these to help us understand the geological history of this region. Our tablets will come in handy whilst out in the field, for taking notes and photographs, these will be used in our final presentations and group reports at the end of the residential.

The course is based in Grange-over-Sands at the Castle Head field centre. It looks like a great location as we’ll be able to see a broad range of earth processes nearby including coastline and river morphology.

I am really looking forward to this field trip, spending time with my course friends and learning new practical skills in the outdoors.

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Civil Engineering expedition to Malaysian Borneo

Posted on 8 March, 2016 by ntmb5

Lucy, a fourth year MEng Civil Engineering student, writes about this week’s expedition to Borneo and the work that the students have had to do before they depart.

On March 10^th, a group of 20 final year students will be travelling to two small villages in the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo to build and install gravity-fed water systems and sanitation blocks for up to 300 people. The project gives us the opportunity to put into practice the engineering skills we have learnt over the last 4 years in a real-life design and build project. It also gives us the opportunity to develop our teamwork and leadership skills in a completely new and challenging environment.

Laying pipe during the Borneo Expedition 2014

In the run up to the trip, we have produced basic plans and taken part in training to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be for the expedition. Over the last four months, in teams of 5, we have conducted a feasibility study and produced concept designs for a gravity-fed water supply system. We have also considered the social and environmental impacts of our work, by undertaking comprehensive risk assessments and discussing as a group, the ways in which we can limit any negative impacts on the community. Whilst in the community, our aim is to immerse ourselves in the Malaysian culture and embrace life in the community. To help with this, we have learnt some basic Malay phrases and cultural traditions, as well as the rules of Sepak takraw, a popular Malaysian volleyball-type game.

Over the last 8-10 months, we have been completing fundraising activities to raise the £2300 needed for the trip. Efforts have included sponsored walks, runs, triathlons, bake sales, 3 peaks and much more. Our group fundraising activities have not only helped to raise much needed cash, but have also helped us to bond as a team before having to live together for 3 whole weeks!

Raleigh International play a major role in the organisation of the expedition, including holding a preparation day in advance of the trip. On the Raleigh day we learnt some key information about the villages we would be helping and had a run through of all the kit that we would need before we travel. We also learnt more about the conditions that we would be living in, including constructing our own toilets and showers and the all-important Raleigh rations!

So, here we go! We have had our jabs, bought our kit and prepared our designs. I am nervous and excited all at the same time, but most importantly I can’t wait to be able to put the skills I have learnt during our course into practice into a real-life environment, to improve the lives of people in the communities and leave a lasting legacy.

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The Institution of Civil Engineers QUEST Scholarship

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Final year MEng Civil Engineering student Lucy Manners reviews how beneficial The Institute of Civil Engineers QUEST Scholarship has enhanced her employability and professional development.

Being awarded a QUEST Scholarship has been invaluable to me, as I have been able to develop a strong link with my sponsor company Morgan Sindall over the last 4 years. Not only have I been allocated a Supervising Civil Engineer to give career guidance along the way, but I have also met countless people at different stages of their careers who I am now able contact to get advice about anything from careers to uni work.The Institution of Civil Engineers QUEST Scholarship offers £10,000 in bursaries over the length of an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, as well as the opportunity to undertake paid work placements each summer and the potential to gain full time employment upon graduation. In addition to this, the Scholarship gives you the opportunity to begin your professional development early, by signing a Training Agreement and beginning the process of Professional Chartership from the outset.

Throughout my time as a QUEST Scholar I have undertaken three 8-12 week summer placements on site, experiencing everything from quality control to building a bridge over a motorway! Through each placement I have developed my skills as an engineer, and as my confidence has grown I have been given more and more responsibility. The Scholarship is a fantastic way of gaining experience in the industry in a controlled environment before taking on the responsibility of a graduate role!

As my final year at Newcastle University comes to an end, it is clear that obtaining the QUEST Scholarship has helped me develop both at university and professionally. The combination of external support and guidance from my Sponsor Company, as well as on-going professional experience, has helped with my personal development no end, and I look forward to starting my role as a graduate site engineer with Morgan Sindall in September this year.

Applications for 2016 will open on the 7 March and close on the 15 April 2016. Click here to find out more about ICE Quest Undergraduate Scholarships.