BEST Overall Award for South West College Student
Software development, engineering and design featured strongly in the first ever College BEST (Business & Education through Training & Skills) Awards held in Cookstown recently. The two top prizes (in the 16-18 year old and 19+ categories) went to a new design for a carbon monoxide safety system and an IT management system.
Ciaran Bradley (South West College) won the overall BEST Award in the 16-18 category, with the Moxinator: a design of a carbon monoxide safety system. Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, speaking after awarding the prizes, said:
“It is great to see so many of our college students actively involved in this new competition, especially as it is clear that the success of our economy will increasingly be dependent on our young people developing skills in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“The BEST Awards have stimulated our college talent and I have been greatly impressed by the high standards shown by all the entries. I hope that many of the people here today continue to be inspired by these subjects and go on to have a successful career in this sector in Northern Ireland.”
Colleges Northern Ireland Interim Chief Executive Tom Place added:
“Congratulations to these two worthy winners and indeed to all 12 prize winners and everyone who took part in the inaugural BEST Awards.
“The standard and quality of projects is a testament to the creativity and innovation in our Colleges that is often not fully recognised. These people will go on to be the innovators, creators and business leaders of tomorrow.
“I also want to pay tribute to all those hard working and dedicated staff in our Colleges who worked hard to support participants and contributed so much to enriching the learning experience of their students.” ENDS
The new award was developed by Colleges Northern Ireland to celebrate the creative and innovative talents within Northern Ireland’s six Regional Colleges in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Over 90 students and 60 projects, competed in the BEST Finals with projects demonstrating the real world application of STEM knowledge across a broad range of disciples.
In addition to the main award there were a number of sponsored special awards that were won by South West College students:
- DEL Entrepreneurial Award: Barry McLaughlin (South West College)
‘Quick Connect’ Wind Turbine Blade: The re-design of a wind turbine blade connection, known as the ‘Blade Root’, to increase on-site reliability and to make it easier for removal and replacement.
- Whitenoise – Visual Design Award: John Owens (South West College)
Urban Furniture Design: An investigation into solid surface material and its exterior application in the field of urban furniture. This technologically advanced material offers the designer countless possibilities; durable, malleable and thermo-formable.
