The Department of Mechanical Engineering (MECH), in co-operation with the Mechanical Engineering Students' Association, provides many activities for students to learn more about the field of mechanical engineering and foster departmental spirit. These initiatives assist personal development and are increasingly important under the four-year undergraduate degree system that calls on students to play a more active part in choosing the courses they would like to study.

The first semester of 2012-13 saw a number of different events successfully arranged.

Annual Dinner 2012

The MECH Annual Dinner 2012 celebrating the Department's 21st anniversary was held on November 9, 2012. Around 130 alumni, students, family and friends of the Department gathered together for the highly enjoyable occasion.

A speech by Prof Matthew Yuen, Head of the Department, got the celebration off to a memorable start. Four distinguished alumni awards were also presented in recognition of outstanding service to the Department as well as professional academic and/or industrial achievements. The awardees were: Ho Yeung Chan, BEng (2002), MSc Intelligent Building Technology and Management(2006); Dr Ivan Man Lung Sham, BEng (1996), MPhil (1998), PhD (2003); Dr Fubin Song, PhD (2007); and Chi Wai Yu, MPhil (1999).

Workshops Offer Inside View

The Department hosted two workshops to provide insight into different aspects of mechanical engineering for students. The workshops are a new addition to the year's activities to deepen understanding of the field.

Guest speakers for the first workshop were Ir Edmond Kwong Ho Leung and Ms Gigi Lam who discussed how to become a chartered engineer through the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' Scheme A program. The second workshop featured Prof Wei Shyy, HKUST Provost and Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Prof Jang Kyo Kim, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Yaxiong Cai, previously an intern at Boeing. The workshop focused on aspects of aeronautical and mechanical engineering, and experience-sharing about the life of an intern.

Over 100 students attended the events, mostly Year 1 engineering students. Another three workshops are being planned by the Department in the second semester.

Company Visit

Technical visits are an old tradition for the Department's students' association to enhance knowledge of current working opportunities and business environments. A recent tour saw a group visit to Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited, allowing students to understand more about engine decomposition, company operations, and its Scheme A program, supervised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Future plans include visits to Cathay Pacific and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation.