The Far Eastern University – Institute of Technology’s Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES) will be once again bringing the most awaited academic highlight on June 2 to 4, 2021. For the first time in its history, the organization will be pushing through with its Converse: The Civil Engineering Student Convention virtually as face-to-face classes are still prohibited in the country.
The first-ever symposium entitled Converse: When Strength Meets Design was conducted last 2016. The organization has always been committed into bringing the best of the best. Five years ago, big names in the industry of Structural Engineering firms in the Philippines have done talks about the role of Structural Engineers in mitigating seismic risk in structures while attending to the needs of architectural design. The speakers were Engr. Jose A. Sy, the Chairman/President and CEO of SY2 + Associates, Inc. and Engr. Earl Bonita, the principal of Abyzenith Structural Engineers.
Two years after the first symposium was held, aiming to update Civil Engineering and Architecture students on the latest innovations and trends in the civil engineering community, the organization followed Converse2: When Trend Meets Innovation, which won as the most outstanding academic event in FEU Tech that same school year. During that time, the symposium has become the most talked convention amongst the students in Manila. Packed with a series of programs, competitions, and seminars that showcased how trends affect the ever-changing world of innovations, and how innovations adapt and collide with the vast array of trends arising, and company exhibit anchored on the theme Modern Innovations and Techniques Towards Sustainable Development. The well-known speakers in the industry that shared their expertise were Architect Felino A. Palafox, Jr., the Principal Architect-Urban Planner and Founder of Palafox Associates, Engr. Froilan R. Martillano, the American Concrete Institute of the Philippines President, former President of the Association of Concrete and Asphalt Producers of the Philippines, and a founding member of the Philippine Concrete Industry, and Dr. Marla M. Redillas, a Civil Engineer professor at De La Salle University and a finalist in the 2019 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Talent Search for Young Scientists (TSYS).
In April 2019, on its third year, the Converse3: The Earth Against Humanity took place with an Engineering Quiz Show and Civil Engineering Debate. Numerous topics around the world and the emerging feats of technology of Civil Engineering have been discussed through it. An informative talk that focused on the field of Engineering that affected the environment as the engineers develop the infrastructures of the country were discussed. The speakers in the symposium were Engr. Ismael Aragon D. Inocencio, a Sr. Associate Engineer at AMH Philippines Inc., Ms. Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, the Chairperson of the Build Build Build Committee of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Engr. Reynaldo Tagudando, the Director of Bureau of Research and Standards DPWH, Engr. Grecile Christopher R. Damo from the Flood Control and Sabo Engineering Center of the DPWH, and Engr. Glase Rabi from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau Region IV (CALABARZON).
With a successful three years of lineage, several great names have played big roles for the Association of Civil Engineering Students’ Convention. After almost two dormant years of silence, now in its fourth year, we will bring one of the most awaited events for the Civil Engineering students on an online platform across the country. With a lot of exciting activities, informative talks from our honorable speakers, and building camaraderie to all Civil Engineering students.
The speakers for the symposium have played a big role in the Civil Engineering industry worldwide. These most respected people have been emerging in producing sustainable projects that contribute to the social economy of the world. Few of the speakers that we look forward to see in the virtual convention are: the President at the American Society of Civil Engineers, Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud, the President at the American Institute of Steel Construction, Dr. Charles Carter, the Vice President of the Philippines, Hon. Leni Robredo, the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Hon. Mark A. Villar, and more.
The 3-day Converse: The Civil Engineering Student Convention with the theme Innovation Towards Sustainable Development awaits that will take the Civil Engineering students in a next level to challenge themselves and their skills. Four main activities to test the students’ knowledge in Engineering will be held and these are Connect: The Bridge Building Competition, Construct: The Tower Making Competition, Convey: The Research Competition, and Conquer: The General Engineering Quiz Bee. The organization assures to foster an atmosphere where critical thinking prevails and enjoining the students to act as one in addressing their concerns and welfare and asserting their rights. With this year’s Converse, it is a day to see creativity, change, and ability as an opportunity towards sustainable development and will let us all excel beyond our limits.
To keep posted on the registration guidelines for the symposium and academic competitions, you may follow us on our social media pages. @FEUTechACES on Instagram and Twitter, feutechACES on Facebook, or send us an e-mail at feutechaces@gmail.com for partnership.
