Graduates and students from across the world came together this week for the Graduate and Student Network (GSNet) conference in Cardiff, Wales.
At the annual conference, the graduates and students addressed current issues like support for those young engineers out of work, and ongoing business such as enacting this year’s GSNet business plan.
Delegates from ICE UK regions, the Republic of Ireland, and Hong Kong also discussed issues unique to regional graduate and student committees.
Day one
A series of working groups and interactive sessions were organised for the students and graduates to discuss the ways in which ICE can continue to support young engineers out of work.
David Lloyd-Roach, ICE Director Membership, led a general discussion titled ‘Support to graduates who are out of work’. Feedback and recommendations from the discussions and working groups were fed to Jennifer Stables, chair of the G&S Committee (ICE London), to be actioned and carried forward through the GSNet online community.
ICE President Peter Hansford also addressed the challenges facing graduates and students in the context of his call to deliver value across the industry during his presidential year. In his well-received presentation, the President considered actionable ways in which civil engineers can deliver value in light of economic and environmental challenges.
As day one of the conference came to a close, delegates attended a semi-formal evening meal in Cardiff to unwind and network after their busy day.
Day two
On day two of the GSNet conference, the students and graduates formed business plan working groups to discuss how to ensure that future GSNet business plans remain transparent.
Eric Chung of ICE Hong Kong then delivered a presentation titled ‘The survival story of G&S in Hong Kong’ in which he discussed the challenges facing the ICE Hong Kong Graduate and Student committee in light of potential competition from other institutions.
Delegates at this year's GSNet annual conference
The next meet - London 2012
The next GSNet Conference will take place in London in 2012, with the exact date and venue to be confirmed.
If you’d like to find out more about GSNet, visit the Supporting Graduates and Students page on the ICE website.