Will Kintish Networking Session - Sheffield International Leadership Academy by Lucas

Frozen before the giant wooden doors that bear the threshold into the jungle of business professionals, your mind goes into overdrive. What awaits you beyond these two wooden barriers? Rejection? Ridicule? Or opportunities?

You can hear the crowds loudly chattering within, but your heart’s thumping overpowers the ambiance.

You prepare to step forward, but a psychological ball and chain weighed your legs onto the luxurious carpets below.

You assure yourself that you’ve prepared for the worst. Your feel your heart beating underneath the tag that says “Hello, my name is…” sweat breaks from your forehead, and you grip your fingers to a tight fist. Taking a gulp, you say to yourself before stepping into the hall, ‘It’s time to do some networking’.

The word “networking”, when presented in any form brings with it an unfathomable aura of terror to every student, why?

According to Will Kintish, renowned professional business networking trainer, it’s all in your head!

“Networking, at its very basic, is simply the act of building relationships with people. The fact is, we’ve been doing it ever since we’re young children”, Will said to 20 of the University’s aspiring engineering undergraduates.

He was hosted by the Sheffield Engineering Leadership Academy (SELA) to speak to its 2016 cohort on the 15th of February at Inox Dine.

Will spent the early parts of his life as an accountant and a trainer for Dale Carnegie training. Since 2000 he has delivered networking and presentation training courses on from his own consultancy. His experience in the field was evident during the session, with a well-rounded approach in the course (including talks, demonstrations and even an interactive cocktail simulation!) and charming charisma, he broke down and delivered an impressionable course on the essentials of business networking.

Being featured in the session was the renowned Kintish Networking Process, an 8-step process that covered stages of preparing of accepting invitations, building relationships and following up with possible clients. Within a mere 3 hour session, Will concisely presented and justified the various strategies around the Kintish Networking Process to successfully approach attendees, unlock new business opportunities and secure clients through networking events.

Being a networking novice myself, many of the advice that he presented were delightfully intriguing. A few of my personal favourites include

“Opportunities will most likely be identified in the early parts of or after the networking event”

“The most interesting topic that a person can talk about is him/herself”

Of course, there were many moments where I instinctively cringed on the many past slip-ups that I’ve had in past networking events.

As the session came to a close, we can be assured that through Will, every SELA student that walked out the conference room door was transformed into more confident and skilled networkers. With the ecstatic news that he may return in the next year, I look forward to having a recap session of this enlightening and superbly delivered course. 

The Sheffield Artificial Intelligence Society - by Lucas Wai Lau

The creation of 'smart' machines is the epitome of modern technological developments.  Though a century ago the concept of devices capable of possessing self-governing intelligence existed only in the realm of science-fiction, it is indubitable that the widespread application of such 'intelligent' machines in our times have now dominated the operation of modern human civilization.

It was only in the 1950s when a proposal of testing the possibility of artificial intelligence was conceived, the Turing test or the ‘Imitation game’ laid the foundation of an exciting field of research that many tech pioneers, including Google and Facebook are currently pursuing.

Though seeming like an unrealistic pursuit for undergraduates, students from the University of Sheffield will now have the opportunity to delve into that innovative field, a recent interview with the president of the ‘Sheffield Artificial Intelligence Society’ Teddy Edmond Benkohen revealed. The society, founded in early 2016 is now ready to open its doors to AI enthusiasts clawing to delve into this innovative field.

“Many people, when they hear the word ‘artificial intelligence’, will instinctively relate it to robotics. That’s simply not true! Our society strives to broaden the scope of artificial intelligence beyond mere robotics. We do this by offering as wide of a range of activities as possible and allow our members to explore their passion through the projects,” Teddy pointed out.

Many activities are in store for all members of the AI society, including eye-opening talks hosted by the society and industrial speakers about the various aspects of artificial intelligence.

Craving for some hands on experience? Teddy reveals that a course has been prepared for its members on the operation of cutting-edge NAO robots, and at the end will see members being capable of programming them for a fully autonomous NAO robot football match.

‘Of course, we’re also looking forward to having more social events for our members.’, he said after sharing his experience on the society’s recent Star Wars: Rogue One screening social.

When asked about the vision of his artificial intelligence society, he explained

“Being student-led is what makes our society special, and being so we’re more keen on nurturing our members and allowing them to explore their creativity through our projects. In the future, we hope to expand and allow students to handle their own projects and secure opportunities to provide research experience to all our members.”

The doors will be wide open for new members beginning on the 6th of February. As AI enthusiasts take the step into this innovative new realm of technology, we shall keep our eyes on their contribution in making the ‘singularity’ a possible reality.

For more details, contact Teddy Edmond Benkohen for more details on the Sheffield Artificial Intelligence Society at tebenkohen1@sheffield.ac.uk.

Summer Internship Experience in Malaysia by Lucas L

I spent the summer of 2016 on the forefronts of development in the Malaysian construction industry, as I practiced on a futuristic tool that has revolutionized global construction. This is my story …

Dawn…

A tranquil ambiance blanketed the massive 34-acre site, sitting at the edge of Peninsular Malaysia’s administrative capital, Putrajaya. Early birds arriving on site enjoyed the cool morning climate, coupled with the scent of fresh earth and concrete around the bare land. Welcoming workers entering the site was a giant sign naming the “Parcel F” site while banners of Sunway Construction fluttered proudly along the perimeter fence.

30 minutes later…

The silence was replaced with blaring sirens, signaling the start of the workday. Trucks, rollers, and bulldozers roared to life; towering cranes recovered from their dormant states, controlled by their puppeteers. Site engineers took their places around the 10-office-block site, skillfully directing workers in mending steel and casting concrete. I, had the privilege of being assigned to the company’s pioneering Building Information Modeling (BIM) department. I headed to the satellite office at the edge of the site, ready to start my day as an intern BIM engineer.

Just for your information, BIM was a budding piece of tech in the historical construction industry. The system utilizes a series of computer programs to generate an accurate digital representation of a structure, allowing also the effective management and optimization  of various aspects throughout the construction supply line from design, coordination, and delivery.

The Malaysian construction industry had only begun to embrace this newfangled system. Design works are typically conducted using conventional methods (sketches, 2D CAD, human calculations etc). Sunway Construction, being an innovative player within the local construction industry, had recently begun to integrate this technology recently into their supply line.  

Armed with a computer and a plethora of plans given by design consultants, my job comes in in the early stages of the BIM supply chain, in which I produce/amend structural and

architectural models. ‘Accuracy’ and ‘buildability', are the two words that summarize the critical aspects of my job. An accurate representation of the actual structures was vital as the models will be used for analysis throughout the production line. In order to deliver a high level of  accuracy, I had to dig through a trove of design plans and detailed drawings. A ‘buildable’ structure was ensured through a critical analysis of the model, i.e. there was a need to be able to identify and report design failures or discrepancies, between the design detail of all trades as the models are being made (architecture, structural, mechanical and electrical) to ensure the structure could be delivered smoothly on site.

The true effectiveness of BIM becomes apparent down the supply chain. Utilizing the delivered models, experienced engineers will then conduct further checks such as clashes with services, plan construction phases and conduct precise estimates of material volumes required for construction. The final product will then be a model that integrates the complete set of information of the true structure being built. From then on, plans are shipped out to site engineers for casting.

The main advantage of my industrial experience was witnessing the deviation of the engineering field from the conventional tedious calculations and field labour to a more effective technocentric path. I have to admit that the emphasis placed on technological fluency at the University in structuring their course, runs parallel to industrial requirements, allowing me a quick transition into my placement role. Just writing this article brings back memories of  recent  MATLAB programming coursework, which prompted students to figure out the most effective algorithm to analyze parameters and determine the most effective method of training a baseball player (slightly unorthodox for civil engineers, but a fun topic nonetheless). The principles of optimization using technology highlighted by such coursework from the underlying principles of which BIM is established for.

At the end of the 12 weeks, my industrial training program came to an end and so did a chapter of my student life. But with this experience, I now possess an insight which will be helpful in my preparation for the future as the global construction industry treads down this technocentric path.

Sheffield Opportunities: The UAS Challenge

By Wai Keat, Lau (Lucas) 

For weeks now, a group of talented students have been gathering in the SIMURQ lab beneath the Frederick Mappin Building. These men and women are the engineers of Sheffield, working together to forge an instrument of sophisticated technology, one that will revolutionise humanitarian relief efforts in the future.

After a cup of early morning coffee (or tea for our lovely British counterparts), you decided to catch up on current news on your favourite news site. What awaited you was the media being flooded with news of a devastating quake that had happened just a few hours ago halfway around the world. Though the runway at the city airport have been cleared and legions of international relief workers and stockades of supplies have begun to land, any feeling of relief may be premature.

With roads cracked and rails obstructed by debris, they’re rendered useless and unsafe for transporting relief workers and supplies. As a result, access to remote communities is nearly impossible in the short term. With water, energy and road networks disrupted, and infrastructure destroyed by the quake, vital resources such as water, food and medicine will soon run low. The clock is ticking, delaying the supplies will put lives at stake. What now?

The answer: a computer-controlled aerial vehicle that takes delivery into the skies, capable of zipping past any obstacles on the ground and delivering supplies quickly, efficiently and accurately. Our brilliant engineering students are delivering that very solution, creating a UAV of their own that will be entered into the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) challenge, an annual competition hosted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The UAS Challenge

Presented with the scenario of a humanitarian disaster, the UAS Challenge provides an opportunity for students from universities across the UK to tread into the field of unmanned aviation, designing and manufacturing their very own fully autonomous drone for humanitarian purposes. While each team has their own unique approach to the challenge, each drone must be able to perform a series of intricate tasks, including area search, navigating through waypoints and delivering payloads with precision. Teams are given 9 months to design and manufacture their UAVs, after which their UAVs will be judged on a range of criteria at the final fly-off.

2015 design on the runway at Brundingthorpe

The University of Sheffield team

Sheffield UAV team at Brunthingthorpe

In July of 2015, the University of Sheffield team stepped onto the grounds of Brunthingthrope Aerodrome in Leicestershire with their drone at hand for the inaugural competition, facing off against 13 other teams from universities across the country. A testament to their engineering ingenuity and brilliance, the Sheffield team and their sleek carbon fibre quadcopter successfully claimed third place, in addition to awards for design, manufacturing and the business case. 

“This year, we’re aiming to get first place by introducing cutting edge technology into the design of our UAV”, says Lewis Parsons, a 3rd-year mechanical engineering student and one of the two leaders of Sheffield’s UAV team.

In achieving this, the team is putting the university’s resources to good use. They’re utilising the expertise of university researchers, state-of-the-art equipment including 3D printers, and their cooperation with the Composite Systems Innovations Centre promises cutting edge techniques to be utilised in manufacturing.

Do you have what it takes?

For Lewis, his involvement in the UAS challenge was motivated by “the opportunity to work on developing current engineering research and solving a challenging engineering problem”. Indeed, this up and coming field of engineering is tempting to many enthusiasts and holds great potential for development. Are you interested in joining the ranks of the Sheffield UAS team?

Preflight checks before take off

The Sheffield UAS challenge promises a fruitful and rewarding experience to all its members. Depending on their preference, students may choose to work on one of the many sub-teams covering different aspects of UAV design, whether it be avionics, electronics, structures or payload delivery. Though it would be ideal for members joining the team to be pursuing an engineering degree, but do not be discouraged even if you aren't!

“An engineering degree isn’t the nail in the coffin for prospective members looking to join the team. We have had physical science students that help out with the UAV design, even business students interested in the business side of the engineering helped out with the business case.” says Ilgit Ercan, second leader of the Sheffield UAS challenge team.

“It is the interest in engineering technology, enthusiasm and ability to commit that we look for in members”

Team manufacturing a carbon fibre I beam in the lab

In return, members willing to take on the challenge are rewarded with extensive specialist knowledge on UAV design, opportunities to network with academics and industrial partners, plus an impressive activity to be included in their CVs! New members with little background knowledge can expect to be directly involved in the design of the UAV as they’re expected to gain knowledge through research. Students’ willing to step up and undertake advanced tasks will also be provided with the learning opportunity under the tutelage of an experienced member. 

This budding field of engineering has yet to reach its prime, and with its versatile nature the potential applications of UAVs are boundless. You, the student, could shape the future of unmanned aviation, will you grab this opportunity and take on the UAS challenge with us at Sheffield?

The Art of Civil Engineering

By Lucas (Wai Keat, Lau)

We are creating the world!

A discipline with a rich history, a noble cause, of high intricacy and achieves revolutionary results, civil engineering perfectly envelopes of all these merits and still has so much more to offer to anyone bold enough to tread down this path. Trust me, I’m a future civil engineer.

As humans abandoned the nomadic lifestyle, there arose a need for humans to alter the environment to sustain ourselves and the communities we thrive in. Hence, we have expended the entirety of our existence in accumulating knowledge to shape nature according to our own will. As our knowledge base grew, we began to shape landscapes, erect structures and establish robust systems that safeguard our livelihoods and catalyse human development. Today, the legions of civil engineers throughout the world are tasked with this momentous duty. In becoming one, these engineers have armed themselves with vast arsenal of knowledge about the physical universe and are applying it to sculpt our flourishing civilisations.

From huts to skyscrapers, from dirt paths to highways, from wells to complex water systems, we as humans have utilised our ingenuity to find innovative means to challenge the limits of this volatile environment. The end results are spectacular…

Oh, the marvels that civil engineers have bestowed upon humanity!

Picture credits

They have taken the heavens!

The Burj Khalifa, a testament of modern civil engineering is the landmark megastructure of Dubai. Designed and constructed to an awe-inducing height of 829 metres, this modern day colossus overlooks the city and dominates its skyline. It is one of humanity’s bold attempts to breach the frontier of the sky that was once inaccessible to us, reclaiming it for the expansion of humankind.

Picture credits 

They braved the depths of the sea!

Beneath the English Channel that had once divided England and Northern France, a rail tunnel was put into reality with the combined brilliance and effort of 13 000 engineers, technicians and workers. Spanning over 50 km and having a maximum depth of 75m below the sea bed, the rail tunnel connects the two nations. Through the Channel Tunnel, it is now possible for humans traverse over the sea on high speed passenger and shuttle trains.

These are only two of the seemingly countless engineering marvels around the world, and the number is increasing every day. Ideas and projects for taller buildings, efficient cities, and more robust systems to overcome harsher environments, all conceived for the greater good of human kind.

However, civil engineering has a more vital role in humanity, perhaps one that will put this discipline in a more noble light.

Dear reader, what if I were to tell you that these engineers may be the salvation of mankind?

A very bold assertion indeed. I found it to be a challenge to highlight this without sounding too cliché or vague. Therefore, if you would allow me, I would like to share the message that lead me to this realisation, a message that had also sparked a passion within me to pursue this branch of engineering…

The message that changed my view of civil engineering came about in an early morning design lecture conducted by our lecturer, Mr. Paul Hulbert. He had prepared a case study about the construction of a skate park that he was personally involved in. Being a usual late-riser, I was anticipating the struggle to stay awake while he explained about how he came about the design for a skate park and the science behind it.  However, he had surprised me as he chose to focus on another critical aspect of the project: the stakeholders. In his lecture, Mr. Hulbert highlighted the effects of the simple construction project on the youths and residents in the area. He shared of how the youths voiced their desires for a skate park and enthusiastically raised funds for it, how the skate park provided a sanctuary for youthful entertainment and how he dealt with oppositions from local residents.

The message of the lecture was this: civil engineering goes far beyond the scientific knowledge and calculations needed to erect a structure, but instead it focuses on weaving into the fabric of society infrastructure that fulfils a need and brings improvements to the lives of all its members. When extrapolated to a global context, the messages highlight the significance of civil engineers in impacting humans around the globe. These engineers strive to bring safety and security to the international community by devising physical solutions that address issues such as resource shortage, global warming, pandemics and disasters.

In shielding populations from the forces of nature, civil engineers create infrastructure that serve to minimise damage to populations or prevent it altogether: surge barriers that protect lives and properties against flooding, seismic houses that ensure the safety of all its inhabitants in the event of devastating quakes, tsunami barriers that guard coastal cities and settlements from the ruthless force of towering waves, sewerage systems that stem the outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

In promoting the welfare of populations, civil engineers set into place infrastructure that ensure access of each individual to resources needed to develop themselves and the community around them: water and electrical systems that fuel productivity, gas distribution systems that provide warmth in a cold environment, roads and bridges that overcome geographical barriers to provide accessibility, structures that house educational institutions and medical services.

Countless examples of such infrastructures can be found on the Institution of Civil Engineer’s (ICE) website, but the inspirational work of one particular engineer deserves to be highlighted in this article. Chartered civil engineer, Josh Macabuag, had initially pursued civil engineering due to his interest in Mathematics and Science, in return was gifted with something much more fruitful than a satisfying career, the satisfaction of being a life-saver and being a beacon of hope to a family in Nepal. I’ll let him tell you his experience himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D8j3l0ogUE .

It has only been a semester into my undergraduate studies, but the University has on numerous occasions revealed to me the significance of engineering in the past and in contemporary times. With the years ahead that my talent will be nurtured by the University, I will be absorbing every last drop of valuable knowledge that this historical institution has to offer. I will do this in the prospects that one day, I will be able to apply my craft and propel humankind further into the frontiers of the environment, overcoming any physical obstacles that limits us. I will do this … because I’m a civil engineer. 

Meet our International Engineering Ambassador: Wai Keat Lau (Lucas)

Utopia, a concept so far fetched that one might say it borders on the absurd; it presents the ideal world where science and technology overcomes all physical limitations; a universe free of suffering, disease, destruction and death.

Hi! I’m Lucas, and I’m an International Engineering Ambassador at the University of Sheffield. If you would allow me, I’d like to walk you through my journey in engineering, and show you how the University is preparing me for the ambitious task of creating the Utopian world.

First, a brief introduction of myself. At the time of writing, I am a first year civil & structural engineering undergraduate student. I hail from the exotic country of Malaysia, a land of abundant natural treasures, booming development and boundless diversity of cultures. Until a few months ago, I’ve spent my whole life at the heart of the nation’s former capital, Kuala Lumpur. Being a young boy in a bustling metropolis, I was always dazzled by the marvels of the big city: the breathtaking skyline, the ever-busy roads and rails, the towering high-rises such as the renowned Petronas Twin Towers, structures so high that they touch the heavens. There was a time when I was younger, a time when this lively city seemed to be a close representation of the ideal city. But with time, the ‘perfection’ of the city began to fade as it progressively rears its ugly head. Looking past the glamour of skyscrapers and tourist districts, the city wasn’t unlike any other; scourged by pollution, logistical issues, undesirable aesthetics, and at times, deploring hygienic conditions. Perhaps it was my naive personality or an ambitious patriotic calling, I aspired to bring about change in the city and transform Kuala Lumpur into an emblem of efficiency and comfort.

However, my passion for engineering goes beyond the minuscule desires of improving a city, it is however largely driven by the prospects of orchestrating global change. In a world where the resilience of mankind is tested daily by the ferocity of mother nature, engineers stand on the forefront of the battle for our survival. My interest in civil engineering was propelled by the discipline’s role in devising sustainable solutions to improve lives. These solutions increase the standard of living by providing accessibility, security, convenience, and sanitation to populations while also skillfully managing the surrounding environment. Without a doubt, I knew that the significance of engineering in our modern world has never been greater. Adopting this perspective, I have chosen to tread down this path with the University of Sheffield as my guide.

Beyond the university’s remarkable reputation and modern infrastructure, the university has stood out from the rest through its holistic approach in shaping the engineering talents of tomorrow. After a term at the university, I could clearly deduce the University’s intention to impart onto its students’ knowledge beyond that of science and technique required for their professions. Through a set of diverse modules that incorporates engineering issues (e.g. sustainability), seminars by industry-leading engineers and a range of coursework, the University has designed a curriculum aimed at shaping ‘the ideal engineer’ by instilling technical knowledge, ethics and transferable skills in its students. I’ve had the personal opportunity to undertake a variety of tasks with case studies from different nations of the world, some examples include researching the historical development of wastewater systems that eradicated cholera and drafting strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban water catchments in the UK. The upcoming Global Engineering Challenge also provides an opportunity to engineering students of all disciplines to plan and design solutions for one of many issues (energy, housing, water supply, market planning etc.) faced by a rapidly urbanising region of Cameroon.

Beyond the lecture hall, engineering students are also provided with numerous opportunities to exercise their craft through projects hosted by various faculties and societies. Having considered a seemingly infinite number of choices, I am currently involved in a wind turbine design project and a project constructing a human powered aircraft for competition purposes. There are countless other projects that may suit the appetites of a variety of engineering enthusiasts, one can find themselves constructing a train for the Railway Challenge, be part of a team that creates UAVs, be involved in constructing local water systems with Engineers without Borders and many others! With the long journey that I ahead at the University of Sheffield, my heart is filled with both excitement and anxiety as I ponder upon the various challenges that the university has to offer in the future.

Currently, the possibility of engineering the ideal world seems faint, but the future is filled with boundless possibilities. In the meantime, my fellow peers and I will be arming ourselves with an arsenal of knowledge in preparation of the day we step into the world, and begin to turn the impossible, into reality. It won’t be an easy undertaking; the world needs many like-minded visionaries. Will you take on the challenge? Will you join us in creating a Utopia?