Engineering students join forces to save the planet of Gondwana

The University of Canterbury has held off teams from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand to claim the coveted 2023 Warman Design and Build Competition, held on 21 and 22 October.

Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO said the contest allows students from leading Universities to take engineering out of the classroom and into practice, as they are tasked with creating unique engineering solutions to help save the fictional planet of Gondwana.

 “For the past 36 years the competition has given students an opportunity to practice hands-on engineering design skills. As we ramp up efforts to tackle climate change and transition to a net-zero economy this competition has never been more important. Engineers are at the forefront of crafting solutions to these challenges and, as these talented students have demonstrated, it is not just about constructing sturdier infrastructures or designing smarter cities – it is about reimagining the role of engineering in a changing world,” Ms Madew said.

Around 90 mechanical and mechatronic engineering students representing 16 university teams competed over the two days, including:

• • University of Canterbury

• • UNSW Canberra
  • University of Newcastle – Callaghan Campus

• • University of Wollongong

• • University of Technology Sydney

• • Deakin University,
  • Monash University Clayton Campus

• • University of Adelaide,
  • Griffith University Gold Coast campus,
  • University of Queensland

• • University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus,
  • Griffith University – Nathan campus

• • Edith Cowan University

• • University of Western Australia

• • Monash University Malaysia

• • University of Newcastle, Singapore.
    
    

Competing in heats at their universities the teams judged to have  the best ideas and execution progressed to the finals, for a chance at winning the Warman Design and Build Competition.

2023 Warman Design and Build Competition International Final winners:

• First Prize: University Canterbury
• Second Prize: UNSW Canberra
• Third Prize: Griffith University Nathan campus
• Weir Judges Award: Edith Cowan University
• NCED “Best Design” Award: Griffith University Nathan campus

About the Warman Design and Build Competition

The Warman competition has been proudly sponsored by Weir Minerals and coordinated by the National Committee on Engineering Design (NCED) of Engineers Australia, affiliated with the Mechanical College for 36 years.

Please contact warmancomp@engineersaustralia.org.au for further details.

Media enquiries:

Lisa McKoy LMcKoy@engineersaustralia.org.au M: 0468 366 691