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Aero Design Award presented to Western Engineering student Justin Laing

CAE Executive Director Kevin Goheen with award winner Justin Laing

Western Engineering News | August 14, 2017

Western Engineering is pleased to announce that Biomedical Engineering Masters student Justin Laing, BESc’15, has been named the winner of the 2017 CAE Bruce Aubin SAE Aerospace Award.  

As part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations, and in recognition of the importance of aerospace, automotive and general transportation design engineering for the future of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) has partnered with SAE Foundation Canada to offer a scholarship in transportation and mobility engineering and an award for university students’ outstanding aerospace design.  

Named for Bruce R. Aubin, a professional engineer with more than 50 years in the air transport industry, the CAE Bruce Aubin SAE Aerospace Award was established to recognize a Canadian SAE Aero Design student or team who has performed exceptionally well and demonstrated exemplary leadership skills that can be transferred to the aviation industry.  

“CAE and SAE Foundation Canada are committed to providing training and incentives that will encourage a new generation of aerospace, automotive and general transportation design engineers,” said CAE President Douglas Ruth in a media release. “Mobility engineering students are trained to take on highly skilled jobs and become important contributors to Canada’s knowledge economy; as such we are thrilled to be working with SAE Foundation Canada to offer these valuable scholarships.”

Justin Laing began his studies in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Western Engineering.  During his undergraduate years, he became involved with the Western Aero Design Team.

“After joining the Aero Team, I learned just how valuable being a part of an engineering team was. You learn very practical hands on skills that directly translate what we learn in classes to real life applications,” said Laing.  “In my second year with the team, I became the team’s lead for Mechanical design. In the role, I was able to be a part of the team’s executive committee, help to mentor the team’s younger members and really make an impact on the design and performance of the final product we produced.”

Laing is recognized for his leadership skills managing Western’s aero design project.

Both the award and the scholarship will be given annually to top engineering students from across Canada.