U of T Engineering students hosted the 26th annual Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC) from March 18 to 21. It has been fifteen years since our students last hosted the CEC. “This Competition brings together some of Canada’s best and brightest 150 engineering students,” said Dean Cristina Amon in her welcoming speech to the delegates on March 18. All participants placed first or second in their regional competitions.
Jacky Lau (MIE) and Johnson (Ensheng) Zhuang (MIE) competed in the category of Innovative Design, where competitors presented unique solutions to a problem of their own choosing. Colin Merkel (EngSci), Jay (Ji) Zhou (EngSci), Michael Del Balso (ECE), and Zongyi Yang (EngSci) competed in the Team Design category. Here competitors solved a design problem using an outlined solution process and a working physical prototype. Teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges. Other categories included Consulting Engineering, Engineering Communications and Senior Team Design.
Elika Mahdavi (MIE) and Raj Pattani (MIE) represented the University of Toronto in the Extemporaneous Debate, where teams of two debated arguments disclosed just moments before the event began. After the seven-team, double elimination tournament, our engineering students won the competition, beating out the universities of Concordia, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Waterloo and Dalhousie.
This year’s competition was themed “The World, Engineered,” which recognized the important role engineers play in every aspect of modern life, from global to nanoscopic scales. “This year’s theme reflects the impact of engineers and engineering innovation to answer some of the world’s most pressing questions,” said Dean Amon.
The Canadian Engineering Competition offers a valuable forum for engineering students to connect with professionals from industry, government and academia, as well as peers from across the country in the collective pursuit of excellence. The 2010 CEC Executive did just that.
“The organization of this year’s Canadian Engineering Competition was very impressive,” said Dan Motyka, FEC, P.Eng., president of Engineers Canada. “As patron sponsor, we received a high level of effective communication from the U of T Engineering Student Executive in preparation of the event, and the students demonstrated a high calibre of leadership in coordinating the smooth-running, comprehensive competition. It was also a pleasure to witness the student body’s innovation and creativity. The future of the engineering profession is indeed in good hands.”
Congratulations to all national and U of T competitors, and to the organizing committee for a highly successful event.