July 2024 Vol. 79 No. 7
Features
Purdue University students gain industry insights at UIC 2024
(UI) — A student delegation, organized by Dr. Tom Iseley and Wei Liao from the Purdue University/Buried Asset Management Infrastructure – International (BAMI-I) team, had the opportunity to listen to industry leaders and gain hands-on experience during the 2024 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
The group included 11 Purdue University students from various academic backgrounds, such as civil engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering.
Held in Oklahoma City, the annual conference provides a platform for attendees to share the latest research findings, technological advancements and best practices, thereby promoting the development of the underground infrastructure industry.
This included participating in a tightly packed educational program, featuring seminars, interactive workshops, and technical demonstrations on topics and themes such as asset management, risk mitigation strategies, trenchless construction methods and the latest advancements in underground infrastructure.
In addition, students saw first-hand the exhibitors’ displays of cutting-edge technologies and products in the industry, including horizontal directional drilling (HDD), wastewater management, CIPP technology, pipe repair methods, leak detection systems and CCTV inspection.
This is the third time Purdue and BAMI-I have jointly organized the "Developed Future Underground Leader" program. The initiative also includes organizing student visits to construction sites and other activities. The 2025 UIC is scheduled for the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from March 4-6.
The UIC 2024 experience was made possible by support from companies and organizations, which covered the students’ travel expenses and accommodation, allowing them to fully engage in and benefit from the conference without financial concerns.
These generous sponsors included CPM Pipelines, Midwest Mole, Ace Pipe Cleaning, Plastics Pipe Institute, Boyer, Danby PVC Lining, Jim Siebert-Consultant, InfoSense Inc., KMCE Inc. and US HYDRO VAC.
Their support made this an invaluable learning opportunity, enriching the students’ knowledge and providing invaluable practical experience for their professional development.
“We are very grateful for the generous support from all the sponsors, which made our participation in this conference possible,” stated one of the students, Sihan Zhou. “Without their support, this valuable learning opportunity would not have been possible.”
Another student, Dhiraj Lalwani, expressed similar gratitude and an additional takeaway: “The conference not only enhanced my understanding of underground infrastructure challenges and solutions, but also expanded my professional network. The connections made during this event will have a profound impact on my future career.”
Comments