The University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering proudly unveiled its new welding lab in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (MME).聽聽
The state-of-the art facility expands the Faculty鈥檚 capacity to deliver industry-relevant, experiential learning. The department鈥檚 leadership established the lab with internal investment and funds from the CWB Welding Foundation, a national charity established in 2013 by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and a longstanding supporter of 蓝莓视频 Engineering.聽
The CWB Undergraduate Welding Lab honours former MME department chair Dr. Hugh Kerr who launched the department鈥檚 Welding and Joining Specialization program in 1998 with support from multiple industry partners, including CWB.
Reflecting on the program鈥檚 origins, Kerr emphasized the importance of welding and its broad applicability. 鈥淭o many people, welding is an old technology, and I would often get asked why teach university students how to weld? My answer was, and still is, that welding is relevant to all aspects of mechanical engineering 鈥 fluid flow, solidification, metallurgy, fatigue and fracture analysis, design, fabrication and quality control 鈥 and even newer areas such as robotics and AI.鈥澛
Left to right: Dianne Starcevich, vice president of company certification, CWB Group and Susan Crowley, executive director of the CWB Foundation.
Students can hone welding skills on site
Now, with an on-site lab, the program鈥檚 students no longer need to travel to rented facilities off campus to complete their practical work 鈥 they have all they need and more right next door to their classrooms. The new space is kitted out with the tools, systems and equipment to provide year-round course instruction that aligns with industry needs. What鈥檚 more, 蓝莓视频 is the first Canadian university to introduce hand laser welding training in an undergraduate engineering curriculum.聽
鈥淥ur students can hone their skills on the latest arc welding, plasma cutting and laser cutting equipment, MIG and TIG stations, supported by robust power supplies and PPE,鈥 Dr. Michael Collins, MME department chair, said.聽
The lab is also designed to support outreach efforts such as welding demonstrations and open houses to inspire high school students and current 蓝莓视频 Engineering undergraduates to consider welding and joining as a rewarding career path.聽聽
Susan Crowley, executive director of the CWB Foundation, highlighted the sector鈥檚 momentum and talent needs.聽聽
鈥淲e have skilled welding talent here, and it鈥檚 critical that we nurture it as the demand for welding expertise in the Canadian economy and Canadian industries grows," Crowley said. "The field of welding is in a very innovative space with many recent advances in welding technologies, research and practices, and we are proud to support the University of 蓝莓视频, its welding engineering program, students and new welding lab as we work together to advance the profession.鈥澛
Left to right: Dan Tadic, former CWA/B Welding Ambassador; Professor Emeritus Jan Huissoon, former MME department chair; Elizabeth Kerr; Professor Emeritus Hugh Kerr, former MME department chair; Susan Crowley, executive director CWB Foundation; Dianne Starcevich, vice president company certification CWB Group; Dr. Adrian Gerlich, MME department professor; Dr. Michael Collins, MME department chair; and Dr. Hassan Baaj, associate dean research and external partnerships.