A group of Foundation Year students in Engineering have won £3000 prize for their project on re-shaping the future of retail.
Their innovative thinking and practical problem-solving aimed at reducing the time it takes for installing new shop fittings has won them the best project award in the Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF) competition.
The University partnered with local firm, the Sublime Group, experts in bespoke shopfitting, to set the students the challenge of drastically reducing the installation time of Sublime's custom designs, traditionally spanning two weeks. The students’ objective was to develop a modular design concept that could easily adapt to various retail spaces while minimising manual labour during installation.
The competition gave the students a real-world engineering project, aimed at delivering an innovative solution that could transform the landscape of retail shopfitting. They worked in teams, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and creativity; conducted market research, studied existing technologies, and explored new design methodologies. The teams considered various factors, including health and safety concerns, budget constraints, and the adaptability of designs for different retail needs.
The winning design was submitted by Ryan Phillips, James Jordan-Magrino, Daniel Lewis and Arthur Deacon. Their smart-flat-pack shelving system was selected due to its innovative design, flexibility, sustainability, and environmental considerations. It was both modern and customisable, and met the client's needs.
The EIBF has been an insightful experience. The knowledge this has provided me in relation to the engineering and business world beyond university is invaluable. It has provided a fantastic chance to learn more about the processes involved in developing a real work product/solution for a relevant industry problem. The personal development prospects working with the EIBF are also hugely valuable and have given me the chance to pursue options that not everyone has.
James Jordan-Magrino, Mechanical Engineering student
The EIBF competition forms part of a CDIO (conceive, design, implement and operate) project for students, working with a real industry partner that calls for the application of theory in practice and to develop novel engineering products. Providing a real industrial problem that challenges engineering students to consider engineering design, engineering materials, manufacturing, standard components, fixes and fittings, and tolerance considerations in their projects
This project has taught me that alongside the importance of catering to each client’s needs within a given task, we also need to value each member of the group and play to their individual strengths. An invaluable skill for future endeavours.
Daniel Lewis, Mechanical Engineering student
Canterbury Christ Church University is one of only a handful of universities in the UK to offer the pioneering CDIO international engineering education model. It was developed by the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with business which takes a problem-based, creative approach to addressing real world issues.
Dr Nikdokht Ghadiminia, Senior Lecturer and Module Leader, said: “We’re delighted to once again to partner with EIBF and offer our students this fantastic opportunity to develop their skills in a real-world environment.
“Our students embraced this competition and the challenges set by local south-east business the Sublime Group. All their designs were exceptional and well thought through. It has been wonderful to see their skills and professional practice develop whilst working with and supporting our local industry.”
Notes to editors
- EIBF is a charity that encourages engineering students to get involved in business innovation, develop a passion for entrepreneurship and help solve real world problems. It was founded in 2011 to fund the Sainsbury Management Fellows MBA Scholarships for engineers and other activities.