Flinders engineering undergraduates have maintained a strong performance by the University in one of the leading competitions for engineering prowess taking out first and second places in 2008.

For the 10th occasion in 13 years, Flinders engineering students have won the SA heat of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Rex Johns Presentation Prize.

A Flinders engineering student has subsequently gone on to win the national Presentation Prize six times in the ten years since its inception. In 2005, Tim Nelson won the inaugural Premium International Technical Presentation Prize.

Biomedical engineering student, Tony Carlisle’s presentation on A nasogastric tube insertion simulator was awarded first prize. Tony’s simulator, which allows trainee doctors to practice inserting feeding tubes into patients, is already in clinical use in the University’s Clinical Skills Simulation Unit.

Ryan Atkinson was awarded second prize for his presentation on the Application and implications of power transformer tertiary deltas – a program that would increase the efficiency of power transmission networks. Ryan is currently completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic).

Professor Karen Reynolds, of the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, said the latest competition results “confirm that the quality of Flinders engineering graduates remains extremely strong against good competition”.

“Ten victories in 13 years represents an impressive standard and a record we intend to maintain in future years,” she said.

Flinders will offer a number of new engineering courses in 2009 which build on the University’s teaching and research strengths in biomedical, robotics, electronics, computer systems and software engineering. The University is also offering mechanical and civil engineering courses in collaboration with UniSA through a new ‘pathways degree’ program.