Spaghetti Bridge Competition 2012

Each year since 2003, UPH Civil Engineering Department has held Spaghetti Bridge Competition for high school students. This year was the department held the 10th SBC as one of the programs of Civil Engineering Week (CEW). Besides entering the competition, the participants might also join seminar, workshop, and exhibition of Green Construction components and designs.

There were 44 teams from 17 high school in Jabodetabek that entered the competition. They were enthusiastic in joining the competition. Some of the schools even put the competition in their annual students’ activities and always encourage the students to join the competition. There were also some new faces, optimistic and excited.

According to Jack Widjajakusuma, the head of UPH Civil Engineering Department, the pariticipants’ interests were very high as the students’ understanding in building a bridge is getting better each year. He said that it could probably because the school has prepared the students well. “Some schools even invited UPH civil engineering lecturers to give workshop. We are opened to any invitations,” said Jack.

The goal of the event was to broaden the high school students’ knowledge in civil engineering as the number of civil engineering enthusiasts has seemed declining lately. “Whereas Indonesia needs more civil engineers as the development of infrastructures is the benchmark of the country’s economic growth. Therefore through this event, we hope that there will be more students who want to study civil engineering,” told Jack.

The same thing was delivered by UPH Rector Jonathan L. Parapak that Indonesia is lack of engineering studies experts. People were more interested in studying business. Therefore, the government must encourage the education in engineering field by providing scholarships or research grants.

The participants said that they gain a lot of benefits by joining the competition. They were motivated to study about construction and civil engineering. It also encouraged their creativities and competitiveness.

The first, second, and third winner were the teams from Mahanaim High School, while the fourth, fifth and  sixth winners were the teams from Kalam Kudus II High School. Congratulations to all winners! (rh)