News

Modern Niagara and Cowater jointly organized a case competition for the students of the Schulich School of Engineering of the University of Calgary from 1^st to 3^rd February 2019. The case featured in the competition was the Global Affairs Canada-funded Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Project in Jordan implemented by Cowater in collaboration with the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF).The four-year project aims to improve the livelihoods and well-being of poor and disadvantaged households in the Jordan Valley and Ajloun regions in Jordan through the uptake of renewable energy for inclusive low carbon economic growth and sustainable development.

The case competition aimed to promote innovation and inspire an entrepreneurial spirit in the students through the real-world application of their knowledge and learning to address some of today`s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Seven teams of engineering students, comprising 37 participants in total, put their minds at work over the weekend to propose innovative solutions that support the project objectives.

The winning team designed a solar powered drip irrigation system to grow citrus trees in northern Jordan, thereby, mitigating water scarcity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing cost savings on electricity for low-income farmers. The judges appreciated the team’s energy efficient engineering design, and their ability to address critical constraints to economic growth in the region, while tackling growing water scarcity concerns.

The runner up team, comprised of four first-year students, proposed solar greenhouses using recycled materials and generating power to cover its own needs. The third place was awarded to a photovoltaic scheme for schools which involved scholarship opportunities for women interested in pursuing studies in the STEM field.

The competition offered students a valuable opportunity to network and showcase their engineering and innovative prowess to subject-matter experts at Modern Niagara and Cowater. The students appreciated the opportunity to apply their in-classroom learning and engineering knowledge to devise innovative solutions to solve real-life problems. The winners received trophies from Jordan, Amazon gift cards, and an invitation to attend Modern Niagara’s Executive Meeting held in Calgary this March. Teams were also presented with Core Values Awards to recognize their display of teamwork, initiative, determination, professionalism, and passion.

Modern Niagara

Modern Niagara is one of the leading mechanical and electrical contractors in Canada. With offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, Modern has the unique combination of capacity and agility: the ability to carry out the biggest, most complex projects and supporting clients through the entire asset lifecycle.

Cowater

With over 800 projects implemented in more than 80 countries, Cowater is Canada’s leading international development consultancy. Cowater’s primary focus is on achieving long-lasting impact and opportunities for societies around the world through the design and delivery of projects that address the public, socio-economic and infrastructure challenges of developing and emerging countries. After more than 32 years in operation, Cowater has establish itself as a global leader in state modernization, sustainable economic growth, gender equality and climate change resilience.