Hands on learning in New Zealand

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THE University of Canterbury’s 2014 engineering car has begun track testing in preparation for the international university design, build and race car competition in Melbourne later this year.

Photo shows the University of Canterbury’s 2013 car in Melbourne.

The University of Canterbury, located in the city of Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island, is participating in the international competition to test the skills of their mechanical engineering students.

Team principal, PhD mechanical engineering student Tim White, said more than 40 students are involved in the team. It is the second time Canterbury students have entered the competition — last year the university’s car was named the number one ranked rookie car in the world, from 500 universities competing in 10 competitions held worldwide.

“It’s similar to a Team New Zealand yachting operation,” said White.

“We have a technical director, three technical teams focused on the chassis, the powertrain, and electrical and aero. In a non-technical capacity we also have a business team made up of commerce students.”

Students participate in the large ‘real world’ complex project prior to leaving university to develop practical and relevant skills for the workforce.

“We have had great feedback from employers and companies who have employed some of last year’s team members. The employers can see a noticeable difference in those graduates; it distinguishes them from other mechanical engineering graduates who have not taken part in the project.”

White said this year the team is aiming for a top three placing in the competition.

“To get there our big focuses are on aerodynamics and a lot of data acquisition. We also have an exciting powertrain development that will remain top secret until the launch.”

Last year’s car reached 100km in well under four seconds and had a top speed of 140km per hour.

This year’s car will be publicly launched in November, sent to Melbourne in late November and the competition will be run between Dec 11 and 14.

Ziena Jalil, South and South East Asia regional director for Education New Zealand – the New Zealand government agency for international education — said the learning of applied skills from multiple disciplines is a core strength of the New Zealand education system.

“New Zealand’s education system focuses on teaching students to absorb, analyse and apply information. Often the best way to learn is through doing — students in New Zealand frequently use real examples to bring academic theory to life.

“Students are also taught to work well in groups by collaborating on group projects such as this.

“These projects involve working with fellow students from different subject areas, in business or science or the humanities. This reflects how different disciplines need to work together in today’s business environment.

“Such practical teaching methods in New Zealand support the skills and talent development of international students, including those from Malaysia, and are helping create highly skilled and productive graduates for Malaysia’s workforce,” said Jalil.

To follow the team’s progress go to www.facebook.com/UCMFSAE.

To find out more about the education opportunities at the University of Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand, visit studyinnewzealand.com.