More than 60 engineering student leaders from the western United States attended a conference hosted by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering students, which showcased Hawaiʻi’s engineering and leadership excellence.
For the first time in 10 years, the National Association of Engineering Student Councils held its west regional conference in Hawaiʻi. The event from November 3–5 on the UH Mānoa campus was the organization’s first in-person conference in three years.
The student-led Engineers’ Council at UH (ECUH) managed the conference, including the budget, sponsorships, agenda, logistics and more. ECUH oversees all student organizations in the College of Engineering, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and several others.
Conference highlights included an industry panel, discussions about engineering student organization best practices and case studies, and a leadership seminar with College of Engineering alumnus Richard Sullivan of Northrop Grumman. The conference also featured a visit to Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai, construction site tour of the UH Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs, beach picnic at Magic Island and a traditional luau dinner.
ECUH President Jonah Lorica, a senior civil engineering major, said the conference was a great experience for everyone and the feedback has been positive.
“I believe it is important for the Engineers’ Council at the University of Hawaiʻi to host an event like this because it is important to showcase the university and the state of Hawaiʻi as a place to be an engineer and to learn engineering,” Lorica said. “I am most proud of our industry leadership panel which consisted of a mix of Hawaiʻi-born leaders and College of Engineering alumni because it showcased that Hawaiʻi and the College of Engineering does not just produce engineers but also a place that produces leaders.”
The theme of the conference was “Pūpūkahi i Holomua,” which is translated to “moving forward together.” According to Lorica, the theme reflected the focus of the conference, which was to bring engineering student leaders together, and share knowledge and develop progress into the future.
