- The IMechE UAE Design Challenge, hosted with University of Bolton’s Student Chapter, tasked engineering students with creating a 'Repeatable Vehicle' to test precision, creativity, and presentation skills.
- Team Palindrome from University of Bolton-RAK Campus won first prize; Team Rossa (Manipal Dubai) was runner-up and Best Poster; Best Presentation went to Team Circuit (Bolton-RAK).
- Judged by EBARA Pumps experts, the event emphasized real-world engineering standards and communication skills, with plans underway to expand in 2026.
The IMechE Design Challenge, organized by the IMechE UAE Branch in association with the University of Bolton Student Chapter, gathered engineering students throughout the region in a multidisciplinary competition examining their technical competence, ingenuity, and delivery abilities. The event, modeled on actual working environments for engineers, challenged participants in four challenging categories: mechanical design, poster presentation, technical presentation, and peer evaluation.
This year's challenge, 'Repeatable Vehicle', required teams to create and construct mechanical systems for repeatable, consistent motion. It was a test of imagination as much as precision engineering, where one needed to have a deep understanding of kinematics, materials choice, mechanical reliability, and tolerances in manufacturing. The teams also needed to document and communicate their choices effectively, presenting their work through a detailed technical poster and live presentations essential skills for engineers in collaborative and client-facing environments.
Following a day of active problem-solving and healthy competition, the first prize and AED 1,000 were won by Team Palindrome of the University of Bolton-RAK Campus. Team Rossa of Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai was the runner-up and received AED 500. Best Poster was also taken by Team Rossa, and Team Circuit from the University of Bolton-RAK Campus was rewarded for the Best Presentation. All these awards honored not just engineering skills but also the confidence and clarity with which the concepts were presented.
Judging was done by a reputable panel of experts from EBARA Pumps Middle East, which comprised Mohammed Ibrahim Al Nakhi, Faisal Saeed, Mohammed Shafique, Haruki Komatsu, and Mohammad Najeeb, to guarantee evaluations against academic as well as industry standards.
In the background, the success of the event was fueled by rigorous organizational activities. Mr. Jaimon Dennis Quadros opened the competition, while operations were overseen by Mr. Rahul Murikkoli during the day. There was a warm closing and vote of thanks given by Dr. Mohammed Nadeem, with special thanks to Mr. Faisal Saeed and Mr. Murikkoli for their unmatched dedication.
The IMechE Design Challenge remains a vital vehicle for developing the engineers of the future, with arrangements already in train for extending its scope in 2026.
