Regional Engineering Competition Achievement

The Civil Engineering Department at Tishk International University proudly announces that 40 students from the ACI TIU Student Chapter participated in the Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition hosted by Duhok Polytechnic University on December 8, 2025. This regional event brought together teams from eight universities, creating a competitive academic environment focused on innovation, structural efficiency, and practical engineering skill demonstration.

Competition Context and University Representation

The event provided a significant platform for engineering students to showcase their abilities:

Competition Environment:

  • Regional participation from eight different universities

  • Academic competitive setting fostering innovation and excellence

  • Focus on structural efficiency and practical application

  • Peer benchmarking opportunity across institutional boundaries

Supervision and Student Performance

TIU students participated under comprehensive faculty guidance and supervision:

Faculty Guidance Team:

  • Mr. Halmat Muslih, ACI TIU Student Chapter Faculty Advisor

  • Ms. Payam Ismail, providing technical guidance and support

  • Mr. Abdullah Hasan, offering structural engineering expertise

Student Demonstration:

  • Outstanding teamwork throughout the design and construction process

  • Creative problem-solving within material constraints

  • Sophisticated engineering judgment in structural design

  • Professional conduct representing TIU’s educational standards

Competition Achievement and Recognition

After rigorous testing and comprehensive evaluation, the TIU team successfully secured 3rd place in the regional competition, marking a significant achievement for both the university and its Civil Engineering Department.

Educational Value and Skill Development

The Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition simulates authentic engineering challenges with substantial educational benefits:

Competition Design Elements:

  • Real-world engineering challenge simulation

  • Limited material constraints requiring optimization

  • Load-bearing capacity maximization objectives

  • Structural efficiency prioritization within design parameters

Student Skill Enhancement:

  • Structural behavior understanding through practical application

  • Load distribution comprehension in physical models

  • Material optimization techniques with constrained resources

  • Design constraint navigation balancing multiple factors

  • Problem-solving ability strengthening under competitive pressure

  • Collaboration skill development in team environments

  • Professional confidence building through successful performance

Institutional Commitment and Future Engagement

This achievement reflects Tishk International University’s broader educational philosophy and commitments:

University Educational Values:

  • Experiential learning emphasis beyond traditional classroom instruction

  • Active student engagement in practical academic activities

  • Engineering excellence pursuit through competitive participation

  • Theoretical-practical knowledge bridging for comprehensive education

Future Direction:

  • Continued encouragement of student participation in academic competitions

  • Support for professional activities contributing to career development

  • Ongoing commitment to academic growth through practical experiences

The Civil Engineering Department and ACI TIU Student Chapter extend appreciation to Duhok Polytechnic University for hosting the event and congratulate all participating universities. TIU remains dedicated to fostering environments where students can develop both academically and professionally through meaningful competitive and collaborative experiences.

Keywords: Civil Engineering Competition, Popsicle Stick Bridge, Regional Achievement, Student Chapter, Structural Engineering, Hands-On Learning, Academic Excellence, Engineering Education