SWABI: A three-day design, build and fly competition concluded at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here on Monday.

Students belonging to various engineering universities participated in the contest, flying their aircraft and landing them safely through remote control, much to the entertainment of the spectators.

The competition was divided into two categories: the electrical and solar. The academia and students watched the creativity of young engineers.

The contest was organised by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), GIK Institute chapter, in collaboration with STEM Careers Programme, and Higher Education Commission.

Officials from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra graced the contest as judges. Air Commodore, Asad Ikram, was the chief guest at the prize awarding ceremony.

In the electrical category, HITEC University, Taxila, got the first position, University of Punjab second and University of Lahore third, respectively. In solar category, the team of the College of Aeronautical Engineering, Risalpur, stood first and PIEAS Islamabad second.

Asad Ikram gave away shields to the winning teams.

On the occasion, Mr Ikram said the PAC had been cooperating with GIK Institute since the start of the design, build and fly contest a decade back to hunt the young talent.

In such contests, he said, the young engineers applied their theory into practice while exchanging knowledge, and learning from each other. The most important factor, he said, was for the engineers to work with complete determination and enthusiasm.

Group captain Arif Saleem said the remote controlled aircraft technology was accessible and less expensive. “The activities of aircraft design, build and fly should be started from school and college levels,” he added.

Dr Khalid Rehman said the suggestion put forward by PAC officials would help them to further improve the competition.

Mohammad Jamil, programme director, STEM Careers Programme, said the HEC had encouraged young talent to come forward and play their due role in achieving technological breakthroughs.

Mohammad Qasim Qureshi of College of Aeronautical Engineering, Risalpur, said they had worked for the last four months on their aircraft project.

Raja Luqman Kiani of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad said such competitions had also been held in US, England and Turkey. “Young Pakistani engineers should participate in these competitions to acquire an idea of the prevailing world trends,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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