The ChE section of the ENGG100 Measurement and Design Lab came to an inspiring conclusion with an Open House event held on December 11, 2024, on the 4th floor of the Bird Wing. Building on the success of last year’s showcase, this event provided first-year students with the chance to present their innovative design projects to an enthusiastic audience of faculty, staff, and fellow students. It was a moment to celebrate the students’ ability to apply the foundational skills learned in ENGG100 to tackle real-world challenges, marking a rewarding end to their course.

Throughout the latter half of the Fall 2024 semester, students worked on projects focused on solving local societal and environmental issues. The Open House displayed a remarkable variety of solutions, including low-cost air filters and purifiers, indoor CO2 level monitoring devices, wind and solar energy harvesting systems, AI-enabled road safety dashboards, and organic mosquito repellents. Visitors engaged with the students, delving into the technical details and offering valuable feedback. The creativity and technical expertise on display left a lasting impression on all who attended.

This event highlighted the significance of experiential learning in nurturing creativity and practical problem-solving skills. By showcasing the students' accomplishments, the Open House not only inspired the academic community but also reinforced the critical role of engineering education in addressing pressing societal challenges. 

Congratulations to the ENGG100 students for their outstanding work, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event a resounding success!
 

Eaitsam Akram, a Chemical Engineer, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and NEBOSH-certified safety specialist, leads the health and occupational safety cell at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering LUMS. His responsibility encompasses ensuring the safety of all research and development facilities, fostering a secure environment for faculty, staff, students, and researchers.
To strengthen the school's safety management systems, Eaitsam was encouraged by Dr. Shaper Mirza, Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences, to attend a specialized training course at the Center for International Health at the University of Bergen, Norway. The course, titled "Occupational Health (INTC310B)," was a rigorous month-long program designed to enhance expertise in occupational health and safety.
Eaitsam arrived in Norway on January 6, 2025, and dedicated himself to intensive learning until January 31, 2025. The program provided an in-depth exploration of occupational health in various industries, including petroleum, textiles, agriculture, and healthcare. Course topics ranged from occupational toxicology, health surveillance, musculoskeletal disorders, workplace vibrations, noise-induced hearing loss, occupational cancer, and heat stress.

A key component of the program was field visits to leading occupational health and safety facilities, including Equinor Refinery at Sandsliveien 90, Fire brigade station, the Department of Occupational Health at Arstadhuset, and Arsana Occupational Health Service at Strandgaten 14. These visits provided practical insights into the implementation of safety protocols and risk management strategies in different workplaces. The training was led by Dr. Bente Elisabeth Moen, with supporting faculty H. Mwanga and SHD Mamuya from Tanzania.

Beyond academics, Eaitsam embraced the cultural diversity of his experience. Staying at the Montana Hostel near the University of Bergen, he found joy in the company of his fellow participants, sharing meals and exchanging ideas in a global learning environment. The experience enriched not just his professional knowledge but also his appreciation for international collaboration.

This opportunity was made possible due to the unwavering support of Dr. Shaper Mirza, who identified and facilitated the opportunity, Dr. Walther Schwarzacher, Dean of SBASSE, who provided his full backing, and Dr. Tehmina Mustafa, a professor at the University of Bergen, whose coordination efforts ensured a seamless experience.
Eaitsam extends his sincere gratitude to his colleagues in the Safety Committee and the Safety Cell at SBASSE, who managed operations in his absence, allowing him to focus on his training. Their support reflects the collective commitment towards fostering a safer and more progressive research environment at SBASSE. Armed with enhanced knowledge and expertise, Eaitsam is now better equipped to implement advanced safety protocols and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring that SBASSE remains at the forefront of occupational health and safety excellence.
 

Dr. Usman Bin Shahid, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering in collaboration with the SSE Labs and Communication Cell, recently hosted a special event at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), welcoming a group of homeschooled students from the Homeschooling Community of Lahore. 

The visit provided these young learners with a unique opportunity to engage in science and engineering in an interactive, hands-on environment.

The day began with a warm welcome and an introduction to LUMS, followed by an important visitor safety training session conducted by our Safety Specialist, Eaitsam Akram. With safety protocols in place, the kids then set off on a captivating journey through the research labs at SSE. 

Their tour included visits to the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering labs, where they explored fascinating experiments, and the Robotics Lab at the Electrical Engineering Department, undoubtedly a favorite stop, where they had the chance to operate drones and interact with robots. The visit concluded at the Central Lab, where they witnessed advanced scientific instruments in action. 

To wrap up the day, students and parents gathered for light refreshments, fostering conversations between families and SSE faculty and Staff. Parents had the chance to learn more about the school’s research and academic opportunities, making it an insightful experience for all. A group photo marked the end of this inspiring visit before the students departed, filled with excitement and new knowledge.

The Story Behind the Visit
Dr. Usman Bin Shahid’s homeschooling journey began in Hong Kong, where he educated his daughter at home. After moving to Pakistan, he navigated the challenges of homeschooling multiple children while enrolling his eldest in school. Through a friend, he discovered Lahore’s homeschooling community, families dedicated to collaborative and experiential learning.
Recognizing their commitment, Dr. Usman engaged a key member of the community to learn about their academic initiatives. Inspired to contribute, he proposed a visit to SSE, providing homeschooled students with hands-on experience with scientific research. With enthusiastic support from Dean Dr. Walther and SSE faculty, the idea took shape, leading to this interactive lab tour.

Bringing Galileo’s Discoveries to Life
As part of his ENG-100 lab, Dr. Usman Bin Shahid conducts an experiment focused on measurements and uncertainty. This year, he adapted the experiment so that students could relive Galileo’s discovery of free-fall motion, solving a problem from an era before modern timekeeping tools. His approach highlighted how engineering is rooted in problem-solving, creativity, and precision.

During the session, students worked through Galileo’s rolling ball experiment, calculated the gravitational constant, and analyzed uncertainties in their measurements. The goal was to demonstrate that engineering is not confined to structured lab settings, it is about applying logical reasoning, critical thinking, and measurement techniques to real-world problems. For these homeschooled students, who are accustomed to hands-on, exploratory learning, the experience was both engaging and enriching.

Beyond the Galileo experiment, the students found inspiration in their lab tours, interacting with cutting-edge research and technology. This visit reinforced SSE’s commitment to fostering curiosity in STEM and making scientific exploration accessible to young learners outside of traditional educational settings.

About the Homeschooling Community of Lahore

The Homeschooling Community of Lahore is a dynamic network of parents, educators, and students dedicated to a flexible and personalized approach to education. The community provides a strong support system, allowing families to collaborate on curriculum planning, share resources, and organize group activities, co-learning sessions, and social events. While the overall community is extensive, this visit was limited to students aged 9 to 15 due to capacity constraints.

Through this event, LUMS and SBASSE took an important step in connecting with the homeschooling community, demonstrating that scientific inquiry and innovation are open to all learners, regardless of how they pursue their education. We look forward to building on this relationship and exploring further opportunities to support and engage with the homeschooling community through meaningful academic experiences.