Success Stories - U Calgary Students Hold Humanitarian Design Competetion
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Humanitarian Grant Report by Kanishka Jayawardene, University of Calgary
Innovation for Humanity was a design competition intended to inspire and
challenge students to develop the skills and the motivation essential to
their future contribution to humanity. The design competition was put on
to engage a wide range of students with the idea of building innovative
technology for the betterment of humanity, and help create more
well-rounded students.
University students competed in a design-based competition, which
necessitated teamwork, analytical thought, resourcefulness, and a
creative approach to handling a project's limitations. Although the
majority of teams were comprised of students, the University division
was open to anyone on campus who shared an enthusiasm for design. The
event attracted individuals of different departments, skills, and
perspectives, each of whom took the initiative to offer a unique
solution to a common problem.
The students who showed up to compete in the design competition
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The competition was accompanied by a presentation by Kurt Bryden from
the Red Cross, in the field of applying technology towards global
welfare. The design competition helped compel students to be innovative
not only for their future career, but also for the benefit of humanity.
This year, the focus was on logistical success and the student buy-in of
the event. This will ensure that there will be interest in the future.
IEEE has a purpose to "foster" technological innovation and excellence
to benefit humanity. Our project focuses on fostering the sense of
creativity and innovation in today's youth, as an investment in the
growth of technological innovation tomorrow. This design challenge's
theme is "Innovation for Humanity." It focuses on how design,
creativity, and innovation are needed for the betterment of society and
for the advancement of humanity.
Everyone working on their designs
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Students busy testing their wind generator design
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Wind Generator Winning Design
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Wind Generator Design--Second Place
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Emergency Shelter Design--First Place
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Emergency Shelter Design--Second Place
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A survey was conducted to obtain participant feedback regarding the
design competition. Approximately 85% of the respondents indicated that
they would attend next year, and very positive feedback was received
regarding the organization of the event. A vast number of participants
said that they thoroughly enjoyed the design challenges and had great
recommendations for improving challenges next year. Kurt Bryden was very
well received by the students. The information delivered in the
presentation was effective in engaging the students since the speaker
addressed current events such as recent natural disasters, which
students may only have heard of in the news and media. He also provided
a very real-world and firsthand perspective on humanitarian aid as well
as the technological and social challenges he encountered during his
work with the Red Cross. Having listened to the speaker after completing
a series of formidable challenges, the students were pleased to be
informed that although their designs that day may not have had a direct
impact on the world around them, their learning experiences most
definitely would.
The event could not have been successful without the dedication of our
volunteers who spent countless hours planning design challenges,
promoting the event on and off campus, and ensuring logistical success
of the event. The University of Calgary IEEE Student Branch would like
to thank the IEEE Canadian Foundation and the IEEE Southern Alberta Section
for their generous financial support, without which the event would not
have been possible.
Our team of amazing volunteers, minus the photographer: (L-R) Mila
Gorobets, Kassandra Rizopoulos , Marc Beaudin, Isabel Chan, Mike Yan,
Photographer: Kanishka Jayawardene
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Photos provided by Kanishka Jayawardene
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