Media Alerts 2008
23 May 2008
THE WARMAN STUDENT DESIGN-AND-BUILD COMPETITION
| WHO: | School of Aerospace, Civil and Mechanical Engineering (ACME), University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW@ADFA) |
| WHAT: | 2008 Warman Student Design-and-Build Competition |
| WHY: | Campus Heats to determine finalists for the National Competition |
| WHEN: | 2-4 pm Wednesday 28 May 2008 |
| WHERE: | Main Laboratory, Level 1, Building 18, School of ACME, UNSW@ADFA, Northcott Drive, Canberra |
Background:
Each year, Weir Minerals and Engineers Australia sponsor a Design and Build Competition among second year mechanical engineering students throughout Australia and New Zealand. All second year aeronautical and mechanical engineering students at UNSW @ ADFA are participating in the competition as a part of their studies in design. The winning team from the campus competition will go on to the National Finals to be held in Sydney in September.
Project “READY” – Responsible Emergency Aid for Disaster, Year-round asks the students to design, build and prove a prototype device in a laboratory environment that serves to navigate difficult terrain and deploy a response payload.
Setting the Scene:
THE CONTEXT: The Gondwanan people have lived an idyllic lifestyle for some time but they are concerned by their observation of troubles on other planets. The report of global warming on Earth is one such example. The Gondwanans, who worry much, have heard of the effects of fires, floods, quakes and cyclones in many sectors of the galaxy and they want to be well prepared for any natural disaster that might come their way.
THE DILEMMA: In response to the perceived needs, the Gondwanan Emergency Response Organisation (GERO) has been tasked by the Gondwanan Parliament to be prepared to provide autonomous emergency relief to those stranded in difficult urban and rural environments under a number of scenarios. To help with minimising logistic support and to keep within their limited budget, they believe a single versatile device will be the best approach. But what should the device look like and how should it operate? They do not know.
THE ENVIRONMENT: Inter alia (amongst other things) GERO want an all terrain device to help get relief packages to where they are needed. GERO recognise that such a capability could also be of great value following accidents or acts of terror. Unfortunately, the likelihood of these events seems to be growing in the current epoc.
The GERO has conceived a “test track” to explore possible technical solutions but they have little engineering knowledge or skills to conceive, design, create and demonstrate a range of prototypes themselves. They have decided that with their minimal funding allocated to prize money, they will run a competition, which for the winner could lead to travel, fame and fortune; and for the GERO, a plan to meet their charter for readiness.
THE CHALLENGE: The GERO have advertised their competition widely across the galaxy. Their specification calls for a single autonomous device to deal with transportation and deployment of a relief payload.
Fortunately, teams of engineering students from Earth are about to visit Gondwana as part of their work experience programmes and the GERO are keen to engage them in the competition. On previous visits such engineering students have rendered invaluable assistance with solutions to similar engineering problems, and the Gondwanans again are hoping to benefit from the innovative budding engineers.
You are invited to come and see how Australia’s future military leaders tackle this complicated challenge.
Preliminaries will begin at 1.40 pm, with the first round of the Campus Heads starting at approximately 2 pm. The second round will start at approximately 2.45 pm.
~ENDS~
Media Contact: Natalia Komarova, Public Relations Manager, UNSW@ADFA
tel: 02 6268 8760, mobile: 04 34 662 874, e-mail: n.komarova@adfa.edu.au
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10 March 2008
CANBERRA’S EDUCATORS CONTINUE TERTIARY OPEN DAY TIES
| WHAT: | Memorandum of Understanding Signing on the Tertiary Open Day |
| WHEN: | Tuesday 11 March, 8.30am |
| WHERE: | National Library, Parkes Place, Canberra |
Five of Canberra’s leading institutions will come together tomorrow to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, cementing the institutions’ continuing cooperation in holding Canberra’s Tertiary Open Day.
The MOU signing will bring together senior university leaders consisting of Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and a CEO from The Australian National University, The Australian Catholic University, Australian Defence Force Academy with the University of New South Wales, Canberra Institute of Technology and University of Canberra. It will be the fourth three-year MOU for the group and will cover this year’s 10th anniversary Tertiary Open Day on 30 August.
The signing will take place at the National Library and will also be attended by ACT Education and Training Minister Andrew Barr.
The Tertiary Open Day MOU specifies equal funding and committee work with the institutions promoting the joint opening day. Over the last few years, the group has developed the character ‘Tod’ to publicise the day and uses his quest for study and career options to highlight what the various open days at the institutions offer.
Tertiary Open Day is an opportunity for potential students to find out about what Canberra’s tertiary institutions have to offer. Each year, the event attracts thousands of potential students, their families and friends from across the Canberra region, interstate and overseas to view the facilities and hear about study options.
The day is designed to appeal to anyone who is thinking of studying, whether they are a recent school leaver, mature aged, first timers or returning graduate students. It plays an important role in helping to remind the community about the value of life-long learning.
Members of the media are invited to attend the signing of the MOU and group members will be available for interview.
~ENDS~
For more information contact:
ANU Media Office – Martyn Pearce, Media Liaison, 6125 5575 / 0416 249 245
University of Canberra - Ed O’Daly, Media Manager, 0408 829 618
UNSW@ADFA – Natalia Komarova, Public Relations Manager 6268 8760 / 04 34 662 874
Canberra Institute of Technology - David Jones, Media Manager, 0434 474 049
Australian Catholic University - Susan Love, Manager Campus Operations, 6209 1115
7 March 2008
ADFA EXERCISES FREEDOM OF ENTRY IN CANBERRA
| WHAT: | More than 1000 ADFA Midshipmen, Officer Cadets and staff, as well as staff from the University of New South Wales at ADFA, will march through Canberra City as part of the 2008 Canberra Festival |
| WHEN: | Monday, 10 March 08, commencing at 9:00am |
| WHERE: | London Circuit, Canberra City |
| MARCH ROUTE: | The Parade will march clockwise towards the centre of the city. They will be challenged by the Australian Federal Police adjacent to Petrie Plaza, then greeted by dignitaries in front of the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Parade will salute the citizens of Canberra before departing to ‘Black Bear’, played by the ADFA Band. |
| WHO: | Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory will review the Parade. Brigadier Wayne Goodman, Commandant ADFA, will lead the Parade. |
BACKGROUND:
The right of Freedom of Entry is a military tradition dating back to medieval times. It signifies mutual trust between a city and a military unit. The Parade will exercise their right to march through the streets of Canberra with ‘swords drawn, drums beating, band playing and Colours flying’.
Freedom of Entry was granted to ADFA by the City of Canberra on 15 September 1995 in recognition of loyal and devoted service to Sovereign, Country and City, and to cement and foster the association between the City and the Academy. Canberra Day 2008 will be the first time ADFA has exercised Freedom of Entry to the City of Canberra.
~ENDS~
For more information contact:
Defence Media: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664