National Engineering Day – GCU students discover the impact of their industry through week long construction project
GCU students have laid the foundation for their future careers after completing a week-long industry project to build a footbridge, as part of the ConstructEd construction experience.
National Engineering Day (2nd of November) is an annual celebration which recognises the work of engineers around the world, with this year’s focus on how innovative ideas can change lives. Organisations such as ConstructEd allows students to apply their knowledge to real life construction projects, paving the way for future engineers to develop life-changing structures.
Environmental Civil Engineering students Sama Ahmed Radwan and Fergus Barrows were among the team of students who came together to work on an intensive industrial project, which saw many of apply their theory to practical work for the very first time. Sama and Fergus spoke highly of their experience and how it has allowed them to truly appreciate the work that goes behind developing a large structure.
The week-long experience also allowed students to work alongside their peers for the first time, after working together virtually for two years. Using the power of team-work, students successfully created the 12-metre long concrete bridge which was impressively built in just under a week.
Sama and Fergus felt incredibly proud of what they’d achieved and the experience has made them think about the impact that their work can have on society:
For those who don’t know, what’s involved in a project like ConstructEd?
Fergus: “The ConstructEd project was actually part of one of our modules. When we first joined the course, we were told about it from day one that we would be doing a project that involved being on an industrial site. Fast forward a couple of years, it was our time to complete the project.
The idea of the project was to make a 12 metre-long bridge on two foundational columns. The bridge would be built over water as well, so that’s something we had to consider. We had two weeks of preparation, which involved the paperwork and then the actual process behind the build. It was described to us as a ‘five day intense hands-on experience’ and it was definitely that!”
Sama: “The whole week involved having to build something that we have never experienced doing before. It was really exciting, because none of us had worked on a project like this until now. We haven’t had the chance to have much practical experience over the last two years due to the pandemic, when usually it’s meant to have lots of practical elements. ConstructEd was our chance to put all of that theory into practice.”
It sounds like it was an intensive week, but what were your highlights?
Sama: “My favourite part of the week would probably be the first day of the project, when we all got to know each other. That first introduction allowed us all to know each other better, work well together and complete tasks efficiently.
Another highlight for me was when Fergus, our Student Director, had to leave for a few hours and I had to take over for him. Those few hours were so stressful! It definitely made me appreciate his role and what he had to do on a daily basis.”
Fergus: “There were two main highlights for me. As Sama said, getting to know everyone was really great because, due to the pandemic, we never got the chance to meet more than three people from our course at a time. I had actually worked with Sama on previous projects, but we never actually met in person! In that one week alone, I learned more about my classmates than I have in the last two years.
Once the bridge was completed and we got to actually stand on it, it felt quite emotional! We all thought “We built this!”. The emotions were also brought on by the fact we knew that the bridge would be torn down in the next few days, but that’s just part of the project.”
Looking back, what would you say you have learned from doing the ConstructEd project?
Fergus: “The overall experience really made me think about the skills that I had, which I thought were things I was pretty good at, but the project made me realise that I have to improve massively in certain areas.
The difference between communication and professional communication is night and day for me now, which I learned from the project. It helped me learn to give less information but more specific information. It also taught me a lot about team management skills in general; not everyone will have the same work ethic as you and this is something you need to take into consideration. It also showed me that everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you fix those mistakes and how to avoid making them the next time”
Sama: “We’re aware that we made mistakes, but it’s not about who did it – it’s about how we can all fix it as a team. We were all working in a pressurised environment so it was natural for people to make mistakes, but we understood that it was due to the pressure of the timescale.
Despite that, the experience equipped us all with increased self-confidence, sense of achievement, responsibility and independence. For me, it was also the first time that I was away from my family for a considerably long amount of time so that made it challenging as well.”
GCU is celebrating National Engineering Day, and this year focuses on how innovative ideas can improve people’s lives. Why does this apply to industries like Civil Engineering?
Fergus: “For me, it’s massive that we as an industry are fortunate enough to actually see what we spend so much time working on. For example, during ConstructEd we got to create a bridge which would be used by many people in a real setting, and that idea fills me with immense pride. Knowing “I built that bridge” or “I worked on that building” and being able to show that to your friends and family is a great feeling. We have the opportunity to see what we have created and know it’ll be there for years to come.”
Sama: “It also gives you that sense of responsibility for ensuring that a structure is safe for people to use, and that really gives the job a feeling of importance. What we build might affect people’s lives in many ways, and that’s something for us to think about as well.
Fergus: “It’s almost monumental in the sense that the structure will be there for a long time and will improve the lives of many people. For example, there is currently a bridge being built which will connect Govan towards the Transport Museum and this will generate so much traffic between the two areas, help businesses expand and create job opportunities for people. It really shows the importance and impact that bridges can have.”
Finally, for students yet to experience ConstructEd, would you recommend it?
Sama: “Yes, 100%! It’s so important in giving you an idea of what you’re going to be faced with in the future. It gives you that opportunity to work out if you would like to work on site or in an office environment, giving you the chance to see where your skills are best suited.”
Fergus: “When I have spoken to different companies, a lot of them ask for site experience. I would totally recommend taking part in ConstructEd and especially to those who have no site experience, but want to grow as an individual. I can’t say how important this experience would be for someone like that.
For me, it was the most mentally and physically taxing week that I’ve had in my educational journey so far, but would I do it again? Absolutely! It was a week where I genuinely felt like I learned so much and I can’t recommend it enough to students in the future.”
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media here