On Thursday 5th March, the Chemical Engineering Society hosted its first-ever design competition and poster presentation event, bringing together students from across year groups to tackle real-world engineering challenges.

The competition invited participants to work in teams to design a conceptual mini-plant addressing one of three pressing global issues: water treatment in disaster scenarios, renewable energy production through biomass gasification, and carbon capture systems for maritime vessels. The projects challenged students to balance efficiency, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability, reflecting key priorities in modern chemical engineering.

Throughout the process, participants developed valuable skills in problem-solving, time and project management, while collaborating with peers of varying experience levels. The competition culminated in a final showcase, where teams presented their work through A3 posters and delivered short pitches to a panel of judges and industry representatives.

Five groups presented their designs at the event, receiving detailed feedback from judges Dr Radomir Slavchov and Professor Xi Jiang, who praised the high standard of work and offered constructive insights on both technical content and presentation. The event also welcomed a representative from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), who provided professional feedback and introduced students to further opportunities such as the Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability (YEAIS).

Recognising student achievement

The competition celebrated outstanding contributions from participants across all year groups:

• First place was awarded to Hester Xin Yu Tann (first year student) and Yasmin Hussein (third year student) for their winning design.
• A special recognition award was presented to Sienna Hurst (first year student), who completed her project independently, demonstrating exceptional initiative and dedication.

In addition to prizes, students who actively engaged in workshops, contributed to their teams and presented their work are eligible to have their participation recorded on their Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), further recognising their efforts and professional development.

Building skills beyond the classroom

The event not only provided a platform for students to apply their academic knowledge to practical challenges but also created valuable networking opportunities with and IChemE representatives. By simulating real engineering design processes and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, the competition helped students gain insight into the expectations of the engineering industry.

Following the success of this inaugural event, the Chemical Engineering Society aims to build on this momentum and continue offering opportunities that support students’ academic, professional and personal growth.