• Charles Sturt students’ innovative solution for a pressing humanitarian problem claims People’s Choice Award at World Engineering Convention 2019 in Melbourne
• Student engineers’ ‘SODIS System’ aims to provide a safe and reliable source of drinking water in Timor L’Este
• Charles Sturt’s Engineering program creates entrepreneurial engineers who can articulate human-centred designs to a wide range of audiences

Student engineers at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) in Bathurst received the People’s Choice Award for their project exhibited at the World Engineering Convention 2019 in Melbourne last week.

The Charles Sturt student engineers known as ‘Team Sloth’ were awarded the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) People’s Choice Award for their ‘SODIS System’, an innovative solar water disinfection system which aims to provide a safe and reliable source of drinking water for use in Timor L’Este and elsewhere.

Team members (pictured) are Mr Marcus Dege, Mr Zac Stanford, Mr James Griffiths and Mr Ethan Hastings.

Foundation Professor of the Charles Sturt Engineering program Euan Lindsay said, “Our program is about creating entrepreneurial engineers who can articulate human-centred designs to a wide range of audiences.

“This is a very strong recognition of what we do, and the hard work that Team Sloth have put into their studies and practice this year.”

Mr Hastings said, “We were really excited to represent Charles Sturt University Engineering at this year’s World Engineering Convention and are very proud to have attained the Peoples’ Choice Award which was chosen by the delegates at the convention.

“Key features of our modular design are that the SODIS System isn’t reliant on mains electricity, can be adjusted to the direction of the sun, and can be used in remote areas and those affected by natural disasters.”

“We would like to acknowledge that we could not have done so without the help of the Charles Sturt University Engineering program to get us and our large prototype to the event.”

Mr Hastings said the event was “quite full on”, but it was very rewarding to create connections with such a diverse group of delegates at the convention.

“Through discussing our design, we saw a largely positive response from most if not all of these delegates,” Mr Hastings said.

“Though we were faced with many challenging questions, we were able to answer all of them successfully due to our preparation for the event and our individual investments in the design.

“We would also like to thank Engineers Without Borders Australia and Engineers Australia for organising such a fantastic engineering event that we are grateful to have been a part of.”

For more information on the Charles Sturt student engineers’ SODIS System, visit the Charles Sturt Engineering  Team Sloth Media Folder.