UMA sets up student competition with Canadian Society for Civil Engineering

Consulting engineering company UMA based in Burnaby, B.C. and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) have launched a competition to encourage undergraduates and graduates to explore ways of managing civil infrastructure in a sustainable way.

To be eligible for the Sustainable Asset Management Competition, students must prepare a 4,000-word research paper on topics such as on performance models, information systems or social benefits. The event is to be an annual affair intended to encourage students from universities across Canada. Asset management is seen as an interdisciplinary field.

Ross Homeniuk, technical leader of UMAs sustainable asset management practice, who is based in Winnipeg, said: By sponsoring this competition, UMA hopes to build interest and awareness of these challenges at the university level, and support continued development of the asset management body of knowledge within Canada.

Submissions must be received by April 1, 2008 and will be judged by a joint committee of experts nominated by UMA and CSCE. Authors of the top three submissions will share a cash prize and have the opportunity to present their findings at CSCEs annual conference in June. UMA will also consider offering internship opportunities to outstanding candidates.

See www.sustainable-assets.com.