Institution news
On September 19 2014 the University of Guyana (UoG), Faculty of Technology Mechanical Engineering Department launched the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on campus. The drive of this initiative was to firstly, accredit the courses instituted by the department and also to equip students with working experiences making it easier for graduates to attract better opportunities for work and to make significant contributions to the field.
Seven people were present at the launch of the UoG Student Chapter. These people were: Mr. Isidro Espinosa- UoG Head of Department for Mechanical Engineering (UGMECH); Mr. Griffith – MACORP representative; Mrs. Niebert Blair-Jacobus – IMechE representative; Mr. K.D. Arthur –Senior Lecturer UGMECH; Bruce Haynes – UoG Union representative; John Benn – IMechE UoG Student Chapter Chair; Sherod Duncan – UoG Scribe and Students Communications; and Shermaine Critchlow – UoG Scribe and Students.
Four presentations were given during the launch of the UoG Student Chapter. First, Mrs. Niebert Blair-Jacobus gave a brief background on IMechE. Mrs. Blair-Jacobus asserted that the IMechE’s goal is to enhance the qualification of engineers from the Faculty of Technology which involves training. Professional advice is also offered to those students who have a special interest in certain departments. She explained the practical limitations of the local Engineer’s Degree and encouraged students to utilize the opportunity for extensive experience that can be obtained through IMechE membership.
Mr. Griffith, who represented MACORP, presented on a new technological strategy to improve the management and maintenance of caterpillar machines. He described “Product link” as a telecommunications system designed to link the dealer, customer and staff which gives the organisation access to machines locally and even internationally. Data is commonly recorded via satellite to indicate to the technical body the machines that are malfunctioning. He explained that Product Link is compatible with MACORP’s machines but assured that there are other related telecommunications systems that yield similar benefits in Guyana.
Mr. K.D. Arthur presented on a wind turbine project that he has been working on. He said, in a progress report, that the purpose of the research is to have established a Wind Generator Station on Turkeyen, Campus. The primary benefits are to supply batteries and lamps with power and to engage students to take on similar projects in their final year.
He expressed that work on other forms of energy such as solar and hydropower is proactive by other departments.
Mr. Espinosa emphasized that we have many deficiencies as a sole research unit, and so it is the University’s initiative to collaborate with other entities including the Guyana Energy Agency. Hydropower activities are also anticipated for the extraction of Kinetic Energy from the river stream. His presentation was based on research done on Venturi /Spray Scrubber Design, Washer Liquid Design and Aspersion Washer Liquid Design.
Closing remarks were done by John Benn, IMechE UoG Student Chapter Chair on Turkeyen Campus. The audience comprised of students and lectureres from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Guyana and special invitees from MACORP and faculty reps.
