10 years and still going strong for GECon
Published on 21 June, 2012
Today was the day for CQUniversity's final year Engineering students to be recognised for their efforts and hard work over the last four and a half years...
The 10th annual Graduating Engineers Conference (GECon) at Rockhampton campus saw over 70 Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students present their final year projects to academics, industry stakeholders and the wider community.
Electrical Engineering student Steven Lowry
Presentation topics ranged from solar powered refrigerators and the effect of electric cars on local electricity networks to improving refuelling processes of heavy mining equipment and what makes our roads break down.
Electrical Engineering student Steven Lowry says GECon made the late night study sessions all worthwhile, giving him and his peers praise for original and widely applicable project ideas.
"Making my project known to my peers and the wider public was really confidence boosting, and the recognition from producing a valid idea has made me really positive about my future" he said.
"I've enjoyed the opportunity of presenting at a conference. I've been able to show my idea to some of the industry contacts present, and even get it validated, which really makes me feel like I've achieved something".
Networking is a key element of GECon
Steven's project explored alternate methods for meeting Queensland's growing rural and regional electricity demand, allowing him to work closely with experienced engineers at Ergon Energy, where he completed both his work placements.
Steven says his project allowed him to explore an area of genuine interest, and believes that interest was what allowed him to produce a quaility outcome.
This is a view shared by AngloAmerican's Principal Electrical Engineer Mark Spinks.
Mark travelled from Brisbane to attend what is his second GECon, and says he was struck by the enthusiasm of the students.
"The first thing I noticed is that these students aren't just doing this to tick the boxes. I could see that what they were talking about was something of real importance; they were passionate about what they were doing" he said.
"They know their topics inside out, and that shone through in their presentations."
The conference ran alongside the GECon Junior Delegate Program, which allowed current senior high school students to sit in on the many presentations throughout the day, and participate in the networking luncheon.
A total of five students attended from the Rockhampton Grammar School, Emmaus College and The Cathedral College.
