IT STUDENTS RUNNERS- UP IN ENGINEERS IRELAND AWARD

Engineering students from IT Sligo have achieved runner- up status in the highly competitive Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award 2017.

Sponsored by Siemens, the Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award is an annual competition that focuses on showcasing innovation excellence amongst engineering third- level students across Ireland.

Six finalists were invited to present on their projects, which ranged from medical to logistic and environmental innovations, to a panel of judges at the competition final in Engineers Ireland’s headquarters in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Students of Precision Engineering and Design, Barry Harkin, Julius Silkaitis and Darren Woods, and Mechanical Engineering student Eoin Sheerin, were shortlisted in the annual competition for their innovative project entry, the Standing Frame. The Standing Frame allows individuals in a wheelchair to move from a sitting to a standing position. This innovative design has increased health benefits for the user and can assist with independent living

Aron Purser, a 3rd year student of Mechanical Engineering at IT Carlow, was the overall winner of the competition final for his entry, the Forklift ‘ Bucket Bagger’, which was designed to meet the requirements of the agricultural and construction sector having found that no such device was available on the market.

“The ‘ Bucket Bagger’ is an attachment which is placed on the front of a forklift and is used to fill bulk bags. Previously, no bucket existed for forklifts, other than those for teleporters, which were unsuitable for use and also limited driver visibility during operation. Purser’s innovative product is currently being used by RDC Contracts in Kildare.

Commenting on the students’ ability to develop innovative solutions to challenges faced by industry and people in everyday society, Dr. Kieran Feighan, President of Engineers Ireland said, “Engineering is not only at the heart of our day- to- day lives, it is transforming how people work, live and experience the world. The diver- sity and creativity of contemporary engineering is very much reflected in each of the innovative projects presented at the Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award’s final and highlight the incredibly vital role of engineers in society.

“Congratulations to Aron Purser from IT Carlow on winning the 2017 Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award and also to each of the participants in this year’s event, who are an example of the engineering talent that exists in Ireland today.”