Jobin George Mathew is making a difference, one hail storm at a time.
Mathew, a graduate student in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, was part of the first-place winning team during Invent for the Planet (IFTP), a global design challenge that took place in February hosted by the Texas A&M University College of Engineering. Mathew’s group, Team Hail No, worked on a solution to reduce hail damage to aircraft wings by designing an airbag-type appliance that would be installed on the leading and trailing edge of the wings with nylon straps. They competed against more than 600 students from all over the world to clinch the win.
In the past, Mathew had always wanted to participate in IFTP, but struggled to find time due to his workload. With this semester being his last as a graduate student, participating in IFTP was a priority. After his win, Mathew gave some insight into the competition, his education and future goals after he graduates.
Q: Why did you decide to register for Invent for the Planet?
A: This event provides students with the opportunity to explore their talents, test their limits and apply what they have learned to find solutions to problems plaguing the world. Teams have the opportunity to collaborate with mentors and industry experts to gain insights and solve problems using the university’s extensive resources. This year my interests and the event dates matched up, and I am happy I got to experience this event.
Q; What was your role on the team?
A: I worked mainly on brainstorming and finalizing the prototype design, 3D printing the model and putting it into perspective for the team using a solid modeling computer-aided design program, SolidWorks. I also managed the timeline to ensure that the team met project goals in a timely manner and assessed the marketability, future scope and impact of the final product.
Q: Why did you choose the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering for your graduate education?
A: Industrial engineering helps me leverage my background and previous skill set while transitioning into a techno-managerial role. I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and previous industry experience, which helped me figure out what challenges are faced in industry and which skills I would need to make an impact in my career. I would like to focus on supply chain and the courses I have taken through my graduate program have given me the skills to lead projects, improve quality in supply chains and quantify financial and long-term risks for a company. I have improved my project management skills and been exposed to real-life problem scenarios through my courses and an internship with a company in Houston. I believe that my degree in industrial engineering has prepared me for the challenges ahead.
Mathew and his team have made it through the first round of local competition. On March 8, Mathew’s team was ranked among the top five teams worldwide after a virtual judging round. They will advance to the final competition and the global winner will be announced in April during a conference at Texas A&M.