From October 19 to 21, 2016, the Student International Olympiad in Machines and Mechanisms (SIOMMS 2016) was held in Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain. The Tianjin University delegation consisted of four students: Ding Xuecong, Zhang Manyu and Jiang Xiaoyi from the School of Mechanical Engineering and Yang Xiaochen from the Qiushi Honors College. Their instructor was Associate Professor Wang Zhe of the School of Mechanical Engineering. After fierce competition, Tianjin University obtained remarkable results, ranking fourth among 15 delegations from eight countries.
SIOMMS is an international competition sponsored by the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanisms and Machine Science (IFToMM) and is aimed at nurturing young students’ interest in the theories of Machines and Mechanisms, enhancing their ability for applying knowledge and enlarging their vision. In the form of answering a test paper, the competition has received worldwide acknowledgment since it was held for the first time in 2003 in Russia. This year's competition attracted the most participating countries taking part in this intense competition, making it the largest scale competition of its kind ever.
The School of Mechanical Engineering put much value on this contest. After several selective examinations, it identified students prominent in both their major studies and comprehensive abilities. Under the instruction of Wang Zhe, the four participants made elaborate preparations. From reviewing the theory of Mechanisms and Machines to analyzing the sample questions and tests provided by the sponsor, they equipped themselves step by step, with weekly sessions of discussion and mentoring as well as frequent communication online. Professor Chen Yan of the School of Mechanical Engineering also provided enlightened guidance.
During the contest, the participants conducted close discourse with top experts on machines and mechanisms, through which they were tremendously inspired, gaining a leap in their overall abilities and professional knowledge. The contest also witnessed the exceptional teaching level in relevant areas of the School of Mechanical Engineering, which was on a par with other first-class universities in America, Russia and Germany.
