AsianScientist (Aug. 31, 2018) – A Singaporean scientist has won the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) 2018 Young Engineers Competition. The competition was held in conjunction with WFEO’s 50th anniversary and recognizes young engineers below 35 years of age who lead projects that advance the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Victor Sim, principal engineer of sustainable urban solutions at Singapore-based infrastructure and urban development firm Surbana Jurong, emerged as the winner from amongst more than 140 international submissions. His project, titled ‘Clean Water Access for Don Bosco School Hlaing Thar Yar, Myanmar,’ involved the use of novel membrane technology in a reverse osmosis water treatment system.
The system also integrates Internet of Things, sensors and photovoltaic technologies to optimize system maintenance and enable continuous monitoring of water quality. Beyond developing and deploying the technology in Myanmar, Sim’s team further established a business model to make the water treatment system affordable through the subsidized sale of water to the school’s surrounding community.
When fully deployed at the Don Bosco School, the system is estimated to improve the health of more than 200 young students and about 1,500 residents in the immediate village. The researchers hope to extend the system to other townships facing similar problems with access to clean water.
“The inaugural WFEO Young Engineers Competition showcases the leadership of young engineers in advancing the UN SDGs. [Sim’s] project embodies the values of using engineering to improve the lives of people everywhere for a better sustainable world,” said Dr. Marlene Kanga, WFEO President.
Sim will represent the Institute of Engineers, Singapore at the Global Engineering Congress held from October 22-26, 2018 in London.
“UN SDGs [are unlikely to be achieved with] a one-size-fits-all solution… The success of this project depends heavily on my team members and their varied skillsets, as well as the support from the Lien Foundation, the wisdom of our advisory panel and the buy-in from the [Burmese] community,” said Sim.
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Source: Institution of Engineers, Singapore. Photo Credit: Victor Sim.
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