McMaster Engineers Without Borders

Thank you Brian for your kind words!

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Global Engineering Conference hosted by the McMaster Engineers Without Borders chapter. GEC 2024 was dedicated to showcasing the significance of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, emphasizing the importance of building cities that can withstand disasters. The main theme of the conference revolved around resilience, empowerment, and leveraging individual strengths and assets for the betterment of future generations. This theme was presented in various presentations, including the practices demonstrated by Jody Boston, who illustrated how creative expression and positive reinforcement can profoundly impact individuals. Breaking down barriers within teams fosters empowerment and often leads to remarkable success. Following the theme of empowerment, Cassondra Fonseca, P.Eng. and Rana Tehrani Yekta, P.Eng. advocated the idea of being a voice for the marginalized and underrepresented members of our community. They expanded the definition of what being an Engineer is. As the future leaders of our community, it is in our power to inspire individuals to engineer change and make a positive impact. Furthermore, Ramla Qureshi had the opportunity to share her research revolving around structural resilience against extreme hazards; such as earthquakes and fires. Her stories and insights helped highlight what Engineers Without Borders stands for. Bringing forth the concept of resilience within buildings, and how certain buildings are designed differently to behave according to what their purpose is in the face of extreme hazards. Being resilient in the face of adversity is an important skill to possess. Lastly, I had the opportunity to participate in a Seismic Design Challenge, where our challenge was to design and construct a building that was capable of withstanding a shake test. The idea of the challenge was to further understand the various aspects of urban sustainability, including safe housing, resilient infrastructure, environmental impact reduction, and disaster mitigation. This challenge was a unique experience that was educational and competitive. Our group placed 3rd in this design challenge and I am proud of how we did! I had a great time connecting with other students seeking to inspire and empower and it was incredibly fulfilling having the opportunity to learn more about disaster-resilient structures and the crucial role they play in our society. 

Thank you for taking time to speak at our event! You’ve educated and inspired many last week and we are very grateful Dr. Qureshi!

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in a Seismic Design Challenge as part of the McMaster Engineers Without Borders chapter's #GlobalEngineeringConference2024. I'm thrilled to share that our team secured 1st place in the challenge. Our challenge was to design and construct a building capable of withstanding a shake (earthquake) test. This victory set the tone for an enriching conference experience, dedicated to showcasing the significance of building cities that can withstand disasters, emphasizing resilience, empowerment, and leveraging individual strengths for the betterment of future generations. Throughout the conference, these themes were explored in various presentations, including one by Jody Boston, who illustrated how creative expression and positive reinforcement can profoundly impact individuals. Encouraging collaboration within teams fosters empowerment and often leads to remarkable success. In line with the theme of empowerment, Cassondra Fonseca, P.Eng. and Rana Tehrani Yekta, P.Eng., advocated for amplifying the voices of marginalized and underrepresented community members, broadening the conventional definition of engineering. As aspiring leaders in our community, we have the power to inspire others to initiate change and make positive contributions. Furthermore, Ramla Qureshi shared her research on enhancing structural resilience against extreme hazards such as earthquakes and fires. Her insights underscored the importance of resilience in building design tailored to withstand diverse threats. The conference provided valuable insights into various aspects of urban sustainability, including secure housing, robust infrastructure, environmental preservation, and disaster preparedness. Interacting with fellow students committed to inspiring and empowering others was truly fulfilling. Exploring the realm of disaster-resilient structures and their pivotal role in society left a lasting impression. The greatest appreciation and recognition on my behalf for the organizers at EWB McMaster. #civilengineering #mcmaster #sustainability

🌐 Join McMaster EWB and EWD as we invite you to our engineering case competition on January 13, 2024, at L.R. Wilson Hall! 🚀 Participants will delve into innovative solutions to enhance urban accessibility, with a special focus on individuals with disabilities. Let’s contribute to the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities together. 🏙️ Seize the chance to win a grand prize and don’t miss out on this transformative experience! ✨ Competition is only 3 days away! Sign up now using the following link: https://lnkd.in/dVakcQUy Image Description: The image is a poster promoting the Eco-Access Case Competition with the theme "Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Future". The poster features vibrant blue and yellow colours and includes a graphic of an abstract head containing gears. Text on the poster reads "ECO-ACCESS CASE COMPETITION", followed by details "BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE", "January 13, 2024, 10 AM - 3:30 PM" at "L.R. Wilson Hall, Room 1057". There is a "REGISTER NOW" icon situated towards the bottom of the poster.