Meet Ahmad Qadiri
Ahmad Qadiri, fourth-year mechanical engineering student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, hit the ground running when he joined the CIMA+ Mechanical and Structural Engineering team as a co-op engineering student. He has exceeded his team’s expectations with his industrial design and construction projects.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
From a very young age, I always loved to break things down and find out how they work. This combined with my skills and enjoyment for mathematics and physics is what inspires me to become an engineer. Helping people by doing what I love, drives me to do my best.
What engineering discipline are you pursuing?
I am pursuing Mechanical Engineering with a specific interest in renewable energy and component design. I am motivated by designing and working on things that contribute to the betterment of the environment.
What project are you most proud of?
During my co-op engineering program at CIMA+, I had the opportunity to work on the redesign of the offloading bin on a mining haul truck for IOC Rio Tinto. Our design had to be a sustainable solution to ensure that the bin could withstand the constant weight of heavy rocks. The new concept allowed for reducing waste and making significant savings by increasing the equipment’s durability, and by the same token its useful life.
What does sustainable engineering mean to you?
Sustainable engineering means a lot to me, which is why I am pursuing an expertise in renewable energy. Maintaining a balance between the needs of human life and the environment is a very important factor when undertaking any project. I believe that the future of the earth depends on the engineers of today.
What has been your greatest reward while pursuing a career in engineering?
A great reward has been the ability to see and understand the workings of the pellet plant at IOC Rio Tinto. It shows how every system works individually and plays a part in the bigger picture. But my greatest reward will be my becoming a professional engineer.
What has been your biggest challenge while pursuing a career in engineering?
My greatest challenge has been to fight my tendency to seek perfection, and learn to be realistic about my expectations. This means being creative and strategic to determine the best engineering solution, given the restrictions of time and budget.
What is your advice for other engineering students or future engineering students?
My best advice to anyone pursuing engineering is to truly have a love for it. It is going to be hard; you are going to face difficulties with a lot of late nights and early mornings. If you have a real passion for engineering, this will all be worth it in the end.
What personal fact about yourself would you like to share?
I play a lot of football (soccer) and I love staying active by going to the gym. At Memorial University of Newfoundland, I was a part of the varsity track and field, and football team. I believe being physically fit is very important for your mind to function the best it can.