Page 21 - Luce 2024

N ews a nd Events

The Jovial Janet Clarke Hall Brigitte

Mid-Winter Debate Shill
heads up
The deafening nervousness as speakers scribble down frantic
and final ideas during the meal, in combination with open Engineers
chatter and laughter filling the Dining Hall as friends catch up…
Clear cues for the annual College debate. Without

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) being such a polarising Borders
topic, both in the wider media and throughout the sphere of
tertiary education, this year’s topic of debate – ‘AI is a useful
learning tool for university students’ – felt pertinent and Since my first year of
contemporaneous. Add to this the need to prove yourself as a University, I have been
worthy group, whether in reinforcing your status as a member a part of Engineers
of the SCR or wanting to prove your merit as a JCR member. It Without Borders
was vital for both sides to get it right. (EWB), a not-for-profit
organisation which
Both teams were able to illuminate effectively the startling aspires to create positive change in the world through the
potential AI offers, as well as probe the ethical crux of the lens of humanitarian engineering. EWB’s core belief is
matter in front of an esteemed panel of adjudicators armed with that all engineering professionals should strive to use their
considerable legal and public speaking expertise. The way that knowledge and skills to make the world a better place,
our world is changing, the importance of adaptation when it through sustainable development and human-centred
comes to technology, and the innovative ways that AI can be design. I’ve always had an appreciation for the broad
creatively utilised, were among points that were broached with humanitarian aspect of engineering, so I felt I had finally
aplomb. found my ‘people’ when I joined the club four years ago.
In addition to my precious JCH friendships, I’ve made
Despite very well-considered arguments put forward by the some amazing University friendships from being a part of
senior team, arguments that highlighted the insidious force this club and am now very thankful to be Club President.
posed by AI (with its capability of muddying the waters of
authentic communication and its hindrance to pure expression The Australian chapter of EWB organises international
of the human spirit) ultimately our triumvirate of debating projects that aim to provide humanitarian aid to assist
juniors succeeded in arguing their affirmative case so effectively communities in developing areas. By combining their
that they secured the Ethel Bage Memorial Debate trophy. engineering problem-solving skills with an appreciation
for the societal and cultural nuances of the different
The Mid-Winter Debate epitomised debate as a healthy sport, environments in which they work, they aim to create
a forum that not only stimulates both mind and verbal dexterity, appropriate and sustainable technology to benefit these
but also encourages lucid and liberal processes of shared communities.
thought to tackle issues in a rapid, robust and (on this particular
occasion) very entertaining way. However, while the Australia-wide EWB organisation
focuses on international work, our University chapter
An evening of friendly competition ushered in a chatty gathering operates on a local scale. We use these projects as
in the SCR afterwards, where the exchange of ideas and talk inspiration for our school outreach program, which aims
fizzed long into the night – with nary a glint of AI in sight. to ignite a passion for STEM fields among thousands
of students each year. Divided into three subprograms
Dante Duell –Metroneering, Regioneering, and the Innovation
Challenge – we engage students through workshops,
roadshows, and camps, nurturing human-centred
innovation and problem-solving skills. Our chapter also
delivers a program called ‘Maths Without Limits’, which
provides students from regional and under-represented
high schools with free online support in their maths
studies.

Although I aspire to participate in EWB’s international
projects one day, I am proud of the impact we make
locally – our club reflects the spirit of EWB, striving
to encourage young people to create a better, more
equitable world through STEM professions. I am very
excited about the year ahead for our Chapter!

Brigitte was Student Club Vice-President in 2022 and in
A victorious JCR debating team 2023 received three scholarships: William Angliss, May
(L-R) Emily Hanlon, Evie Archer and Dante Duell Dunn and Vera Moore.

J anet Clarke Hall 21