Students at St Patrick’s College in Dungannon have had their engineering designs brought to life thanks to Mallaghan, a global leader in the manufacturing of airport ground support equipment.
The pioneering project saw Construction, Technology and Engineering students submit 14 designs for an onsite bus shelter, with the winning design manufactured by Dungannon-based Mallaghan.
Sinead Gaynor, Head of Human Resources at Mallaghan, commented:
“At Mallaghan, we aim to encourage innovation at every level and we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers – this includes helping to foster the skills and creativity of the young people within our community.
“The standard of work shown by the students throughout this project was second to none and is a credit to their hard work, as well as the dedication of their teachers.
“The finished product looks fantastic, and we hope it will act as a symbol of inspiration for the students of today, tomorrow and beyond!”
The pupils were tasked with designing a bus shelter that considered both visual aesthetics, as well as practical elements such as size and durability.
Speaking of the successful partnership, Catherine McHugh from St Patrick’s College said:
“We would like to extend a huge word of thanks to the team at Mallaghan for their generous support and commitment to this initiative, particularly Lead Designer Owen Cushnahan, who worked closely with the students throughout the design process.
“Being able to put classroom theory into practice with the help of a prestigious local business is invaluable for the students. Seeing their final product has perfectly highlighted what can be achieved when we bridge the gap between education and industry to collaborate, build experiences and offer learning opportunities for the workforce of tomorrow.”
The initiative was championed by the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Paul McLean, who visited St Patrick’s College for the unveiling of the new bus shelter and to congratulate the students on their efforts.