University of Queensland engineering students will represent Australia and help plan for a better world at this month’s Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES) in Switzerland.
Environmental Engineering student Bronwyn Edwards and Chemical Engineering student Katie Quinn will participate in the course, which educates university students on global sustainable development issues through academic work, debate, field trips and practical training.
Approximately 35 participants from around the world are selected for each intensive, two-week YES course, based on their leadership skills, academic capabilities and commitment to sustainable development.
Associate Professor in Environmental Engineering Bill Clarke said the School of Engineering was regularly represented at YES, reflecting the high quality of UQ engineering students.
“YES provides a great opportunity for young leaders to meet and discuss environmental issues with like-minded students and promote possible solutions here in Australia,” Dr Clarke said.
“It builds on the skills developed through their studies at UQ and enables our students to take leading roles in making sustainable development a reality.”
Collaborating with international experts from leading universities, delegates achieve greater understanding of global issues and develop fresh approaches to address sustainability challenges.
Ms Quinn said YES brought together students who were passionate about global sustainable development.
“Coming from a chemical engineering background, I’m looking forward to understanding international and multidisciplinary perspectives on these issues,” she said.
Past UQ YES representative Lizzie Brown said the program opened her eyes to a global perspective and inspired her to work with Engineers Without Borders Australia, helping disadvantaged communities through sustainable engineering.
“Working with delegates from around the world on these issues completely changed my perception of Australia’s role in the global community,” Ms Brown said.
“YES made me realise every one of us is responsible for global sustainable development.”
Ms Brown went on to be highly commended in the inaugural UQ Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Equity and Diversity Awards in May this year for her work with Engineers without Borders.
Delegates to YES come from more than 180 universities worldwide and represent a range of disciplinary backgrounds.
Based on its success in Switzerland, YES has introduced courses in other countries, such as YES Japan, which UQ Environmental Engineering student Amanda Binks attended earlier this year.
MEDIA: Kim Jensen at UQ Engineering (07 3346 9976) or Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2659).
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