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OUR PROJECTS
Industry Design Project
Over 3 months, WEST students partner with industry as they develop a solution to a challenge an industry partner is trying to solve.
Through weekly lectures, students learn about the theoretical concepts and technical skills they need to approach the problem. Students also work in groups to develop a proposal outlining their solutions and a presentation to solicit feedback on the solutions.
To wrap up the project, a showcase event takes place where students present their solutions and receive feedback from the industry partner.
Skill Development Workshop
Over 8 weeks, WEST students learn a technical skill, such as a programming language or Aided Design, through weekly seminars and work sessions.
The workshop focuses on enhancing proficiency by covering the theoretical and technical aspects of the skill, as well as its practical applications. Students conclude the workshop by applying their acquired skills to a case study provided by an industry partner.
At the end of the work sessions, students will showcase their acquired knowledge and get the opportunity to widen their network through an industry-focused networking night.
If your company is interested in the Industry Design Project or the workshop, please contact us and we will provide more information.
PARTNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY
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Provide a current, relevant challenge facing your company
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Give an introductory lecture on your company and the challenge
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Attend 2 feedback sessions to provide feedback to student groups
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Provide 2+ company mentors to guide students throughout the project
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Provide 2 female-identifying employees for the Women in STEM Panel
FUNDING
PARTNERSHIP
What are your organization's objectives?
Engage Talent
Build Brand
Enhance EDI
How we can help:
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Access to a wide network of students
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Explore job postings to women+ applicants
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Targeted skill development
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Engage with the next group of employees
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Targeted advertising in education and EDI space
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Logo placement on all project material
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Showcase your effort in EDI and employee growth
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Co-hosting project events
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Establish mentorship opportunities
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Connect with the academic EDI community
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Increase women+ in technical positions
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Reports on project success
MEET OUR SPONSORS
FALL 2024 WORKSHOP PARTNER
Introba is an international building engineering and consulting firm with over 1000 employees in offices in Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia. As a collection of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, sustainability analysis, energy modelers, policy researchers, and climate resilience planners, they collaborate with clients to create “Living Systems” that are smart, secure, resilient, and connected.
SUMMER 2024 WORKSHOP PARTNER
Redbrick is a software startup that was established in 2011 to provide software publishing firms with a specialized marketing platform. It has since grown into a media technology company, establishing Assembly, a multi-brand digital publishing company, and creating technologies to maximize revenue and placement. The introduction of Assembly has elevated Redbrick's platform significantly, now hosting four diverse brands spanning entertainment to education.
This workshop had participants engage in weekly sessions wherein they were taught fundamental concepts of programming and the Python language, completing hands-on exercises to hone their skills each week. After covering the core principles of programming, participants were then given the opportunity to analyze a case study provided by Redbrick and gain practical experience using their newly acquired programming skills.
WINTER 2023 & FALL 2024 PROJECT PARTNER
Schneider Electric is a digital automation and energy management company. They use energy technologies, real-time automation, software, and services to help monitor energy usage in home, data centres, and industrial buildings.
The Schneider Electric Victoria office specializes in metering hardware, metering firmware, and energy management software, both on premise and in the cloud.
This project asked student how might Schneider Electric create increased visualization, accessibility and insight into sustainable energy practices for power management systems so that customers can understand different types of energy usage in order to reduce CO2 emissions. This program was run by Emily Murray, a software engineering student at UVic, and Aislinn Dressler, a Civil Engineering Student at UVic. This program had 11 student participants.
FALL 2022 & 2023 PROJECT PARTNER
Fortis BC is the province's largest energy supplier. They proudly deliver renewable energy, natural gas and electricity to 1.2 million customers in 135 BC communities, and 58 First Nations communities across 150 Traditional Territories.
Their focus lies in implementing a diversified portfolio that goes beyond traditional natural gas. They are actively integrating renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and syngas into our infrastructure. By embracing these alternative energy sources, they aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Our first project, asked students to evaluate alternative methods for heating anaerobic digesters that eliminate or substantially reduce the use of natural gas or biogas. This program was run by Satira Brunner, a Mechanical Engineering student at UVic, with the support of Monty Raisinghani, from UVic Engineering and Computer Science, and Pamela Vieira, from High Tech U. This program had 9 student participants.
The second project is centered around renewable energy and integrating renewable natural gas into the energy grid. The project managers are Izzy Friesen and Rachael Grant. This program has 20 students participants.
ONGOING CONTINUOUS SUPPORT
The University of Victoria Engineering and Computer Science department has continuously supported WEST in all aspects, from connecting us to potential partners to photography expertise. Their support has allowed us to grow exponentially.