This year’s matriculating class was not only able to witness the ceremonial lighting of the Flame of Excellence, but was also able to participate in a meaningful activity thanks to a project from the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (DMME).
In addition to the traditional candle, DMME constructed a mechanical flame which served as a symbollic repository for students' fears and hopes. After the candle was lit, it was inserted into the external flame which remained on campus for one week following the ceremony. Students were invited to write down their fears and hopes and deposit them into the flame.
Designed and built by a six-member team, led by Department Head Dr Jacqueline Bridge, the flame was a motor-driven, rotating structure made from plexiglass, PVC piping, crepe paper, and LED lights. The crepe paper and plexiglass were cut into different sizes to create conical shapes, and a fan was stationed in the centre for the flame to move continuously. The LED lights were positioned to both reflect and transmit light, giving the entire structure a glowing effect.
Dr Bridge said the project provided a unique opportunity for students:
“From my point-of-view as an educator, I think it was a good opportunity for the students to see the phases of a project like this. To see how you might start with a concept, but once you take into account all the constraints you have to work with – time, money, fabrication techniques and sourcing materials – you end with something different yet having the same fundamental characteristics.”
It took two weeks to complete from concept to construction and was commissioned by the matriculation ceremony planning committee. The flame consisted of one central flame and eight surrounding structures to represent each faculty. The design represented the connectedness and community of The UWI, and was a symbol of commitment to excellence. The three undergraduate students involved – Irfaan Ali, Kiana Eversley and Nabilah Mohammed – were responsible for design and fabrication drawings, and assisted with construction. They were mentored by postgraduate student Ezekiel Yorke. Also involved in the construction were engineering technicians Lionel Hanumansingh and Marlon Dolloway.
Hanumansingh said he was proud that a group of mechanical engineers could undertake such an artistic project and is hoping that they will be able to create a permanent structure for future ceremonies.
Dr Bridge added that, “The students were very happy to be part of it, and it opened their eyes to things you wouldn’t normally think of in terms of mechanical engineering, because it was artistic but still mechanical.”
This sentiment was echoed by undergraduate student Kiana Eversly, who said participating in the project allowed her to get to know her classmates better and displayed engineering’s true purpose.
“This was the first time I helped create something in a team that would actually help other people. It also felt special to see others make use of our creation. In my opinion, that is the heart of engineering, so it really helped me feel like an engineering student for the first time.”
