Damien Richardson and Antonio Carmona with students from TU Delft.
PHILIPSBURG–As part of their two-week tour of St. Maarten, a group of 25 students from Technische Universiteit (TU) Delft in the Netherlands paid a visit to the University of St. Martin (USM) from May 6 to 13, to engage with faculty and learn about the various engineering projects developed in St. Maarten.
The group, consisting of graduate and undergraduate students of architecture who participate in a self-managed project called EXTREME for Integral Design, were welcomed by USM lecturer Damien Richardson and USM President Antonio Carmona.
On Monday, Richardson, himself a graduate of TU Delft, presented two projects that he has been developing since the aftermath of Hurricane Irma: Passive Energy Generator Shield (PEGS), which would use energy produced by volatile winds for the benefit of sustainable development, and the hurricane-proof Rhythm Park project, – a venture in eco-friendly leisure space which can also be used as shelter for up to 40 per cent of the island’s population.
In turn, students talked about their assignments and idea of setting up a Shelter St. Maarten project, which aims at developing housing and shelter solutions in extreme scenarios.
“We were very happy to welcome the students of TU Delft to St. Maarten and we hope that this marks the beginning of a special relationship between two institutions within the Kingdom,” said Carmona, who thanked Minister Plenipotentiary Jorien Wuite in The Hague, for facilitating the visit.
Richardson, who manages and teaches elective course Caribbean Metropolitan Architecture, offered annually, encouraged the students to consider returning to USM next year to take tailor-made classes for foreign students in engineering and design. “In commemorating the 30th anniversary since the founding of USM, we are also seeking ways in which to strengthen ties with institutions of higher education throughout the Kingdom. Servicing students from the Netherlands should be a part of this development,” Carmona said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/87487-tu-delft-students-visit-usm-learn-about-projects
View comments
Hide comments