[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/JHE building.jpg” caption=”McMaster University will host the 29th Annual Ontario Engineering Competition (OEC) from Feb. 8 to Feb. 10, 2008. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Planning is already underway at McMaster University as it prepares to host the 29th Annual Ontario Engineering Competition (OEC) from Feb. 8 to Feb. 10, 2008.

The University will welcome more than 200 participants from 14 universities across the province in a series of competitions that challenge the engineering skills, business acumen, communication abilities, and creativity of Ontario's top engineering students.

Members of the McMaster Engineering Society Organizing Committee traveled to Ottawa this weekend to learn more about the event.

“The competitions are just a part of the weekend,” said Deborah Lee, co-chair, OEC 2008 Organizing Committee, McMaster Engineering Society. “There is a big social component too as participants have a chance to meet with their colleagues from other universities and exchange ideas. Carleton did a fantastic job. We are looking to make our event just as memorable.”

The Ontario Engineering Competition is one of the events being hosted by the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008.

“This competition brings together many of the best engineering students from across the province,” said Mo Elbestawi, dean, Faculty of Engineering at McMaster. “They compete against each other and they learn from each other. Then they go on to make great contributions to our society. That's what this Faculty has supported for the past 50 years and we'll continue to support it for the next 50 years and beyond.”

McMaster hosted the OEC in 1985 and 1997. The University also hosted the Canadian Engineering Competition in March 2004.

The Ontario Engineering Competition (OEC) is an annual event that challenges university engineering students from across the province to a series of competitions. More than 200 competitors from 14 universities participate.

The six competition categories include Senior Team Design, Junior Team Design, Innovative Design, Consulting Engineering, Engineering Communications, and Parliamentary Debate. Winning teams move on to compete nationally at the Canadian Engineering Competition.