The 5th Engineering Capstone Expo competition (Punjab Region), organized by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), showcased the ingenuity of final-year engineering students from 29 universities and institutes. Held at the PEC’s regional office in Lahore, the Expo featured 170 cutting-edge design projects selected for their relevance to current industry needs.
The Expo served as a platform for industry professionals and businesses to review these projects, emphasizing their practical applicability and potential impact on society. With a focus on fostering entrepreneurship and innovative skills, the event provided invaluable exposure to top-tier engineering producers and encouraged students to connect with industry leaders.
Engineer Najeeb Haroon, Chairman of PEC, inaugurated the event, underscoring the importance of practical application in engineering education and urging students to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s development. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Niaz Akhtar, Vice-Chairman of PEC (Punjab), Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice-Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), and Engineer Mir Maood Rashid, PDC Convener, highlighted the significance of such platforms in nurturing talent and fostering growth.
The closing ceremony, presided over by PEC Senior Vice-Chairman Nayyar Saeed, recognized the outstanding projects and awarded prizes to the winning teams. In Group 1, the University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore, clinched the first prize with their project on “Low-cost housing solutions,” while NFC Institute of Engineering & Fertilizer Research (IEFR) Faisalabad, secured the second position with their project on “Mechanical and physical properties of waste PET plastic pavers.”
Group 2 saw UET Lahore’s Mechanical Engineering students take the lead with their project on “Design and fabrication of a cow milking machine,” followed by University of Central Punjab (UCP)‘s project on “Table-top prototype of a 3D printer for the construction industry.” In Group 3, National Textile University (NTU) excelled with their project on “Optimization of process parameters for wash down effects,” while Chemical Engineering students from various universities showcased innovative solutions for sustainability.
Group 4 highlighted the prowess of Electrical Engineering students, with Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering & Technology (MNSUET) Multan, securing the first prize for their project on “Solar hybrid inverter advanced MPPT.” Notable mentions include projects such as “AI-powered drone inspection for solar panel fault detection” and “Prototype battery management system with super-capacitor integration.”
Overall, the Capstone Expo 2024 not only celebrated academic achievements but also underscored the vital role of engineering in addressing contemporary challenges and driving socio-economic development.