Engineering students showcase real-world projects virtually
Published:03 June 2020

CQUniversity graduating engineers showcased their major projects this week, addressing real-world challenges for organisations in the University's footprint.
CQUniversity celebrated the talents and accomplishments of its graduating class of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Engineering Technology students with its annual CQU Engineering Showcase this week (Wednesday 3 June 1pm – 5pm).
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this was the first time the Showcase had been held in a virtual environment since the showcase began 18 years ago.
Conference coordinator and Head of Course for Undergraduate Engineering Dr Aruna Jayasuriya said the final year students presented their individual oral and poster presentations via Zoom technology to an audience of participating organisations and stakeholders, engineering staff, fellow students and family members.
He said the students had produced some fantastic projects which have been based on real-world challenges facing organisations within CQUniversity’s footprint.
Just some of the projects included: investigating flash flood risk in Rockhampton; sewerage modelling and planning for Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy; pavement design in the Moreton Bay region; a review of speed limits in the Gladstone CBD; analysis of locomotive wheel wear and maintenance; evaluation of an automated water treatment plant clean; improving a person’s grip using passive soft exoskeletons; and the viability of using an Xbox gaming accessory as a low-cost 3D scanner.
Project stakeholders included: Bundaberg Regional Council, Gladstone Ports Corporation, AECOM, Rockhampton Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Tweed Shire Council, Calibre Group, Aurizon, Moreton Bay Regional Council; Fenner Dunlop, ACE, Stanwell Power Station, Canetec Pty Ltd, Ergon Energy and Energex, Anglo American (Capcoal), Downer Group, Third Ground Coffee House and CQUniversity.
The Conference was sponsored by Gold sponsor Aurizon, Bronze sponsor Ergon Energy and Energex, and CQUniversity.
Ergon Energy and Energex have been long-time supporters of CQUniversity graduates.
“Ergon Energy & Energex’s Graduate Program provides a great foundation for the professional development of graduate engineers throughout the organisation,” Energy Queensland’s General Manager Grid Technology Jason Hall said.
“The program has been specifically designed for graduates to maximise their learning experiences within the power industry.”