Welcoming our next cohort of Black & White scholars

We firmly believe that education can drive innovation and advancement within Black & White and the industry as a whole.

It is with immense pleasure that we announce the graduation of our next two scholars in Manila, Christopher “Jack” Banzon and Trishell Canaya. They have successfully attained their Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the esteemed University of the Philippines – Diliman on 30 July 2023.

Jack and Trishell have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, graduating as Summa Cum Laude and Cum Laude, respectively. Their outstanding achievements during their academic journey not only reflect their dedication and hard work but also resonate deeply with the core values of our organisation.

Looking forward, we eagerly anticipate officially onboarding Jack and Trishell with our global team of engineering experts in September 2023. We are excited about the contributions they are bound to bring as they continue to evolve, support our team, and make a positive impact on our clients and beyond.

Meet Jack

Since his high school days, Jack’s skills have consistently aligned towards engineering. Excelling as the top math student in his cohort, he also distinguished himself in the realm of robotics. This inclination was further confirmed when he undertook the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE), which pinpointed mechanical engineering as his ideal career path.

Delving into specific fields of the discipline, Jack is particularly drawn to the behaviour of fluids. Collaborating with his research partner, Trishell Canaya, they utilised Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to dissect the airflow patterns around a proposed turbine blade design. The outcome underscored the extent of their methodology, giving them the highest performing grade during their dissertation. This experience has deepened Jack’s fascination with fluid behaviour and has inspired him to explore broader applications, particularly within the domain of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC).

While his time in university has solidified his theoretical foundation, Jack is now ready to translate his knowledge and competencies into real-world scenarios, eagerly anticipating opportunities to engage with practical applications.

“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work at Black & White. Joining the team would allow me to immerse myself in the practical applications of HVAC systems, gain invaluable hands-on experience, and contribute to real-world projects.” -Jack, on what he aspires to achieve at Black & White

A mindset of innovation

During his time in university, Jack actively took part in pitching competitions where participants were challenged to formulate solutions to specific problems within the span of a week. One such issue they addressed was the absence of internet access in remote areas, which hindered opportunities for online learning. The prevailing suggestion involved sending printed learning materials for self-guided study. However, Jack and his team departed from the conventional approach and thought of an alternative and improved solution.

Rather than relying on the internet, they suggested creating a localised network hub that could function as an autonomous e-learning platform. Essentially, this involved setting up a local area network (LAN) with a sufficient range centred around a focal point. This strategy aimed to reduce the heavy reliance on the internet, enabling students in remote areas to access educational content and resources via the local network hub. The concept held the potential to enhance educational access, providing an innovative way for people to connect.

Although the idea remained in the conceptual stage and was never put into action, its development showcased their ability to surpass established boundaries and explore unconventional avenues for addressing existing challenges.

Supportive to self and others

To strike a balance between his academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, Jack diligently establishes clear priorities, ensuring he does not lose track of what he values. Foremost among these priorities is his personal well-being, which he cultivates through dedicated time for exercise, meditation, and social activities. This conscious self-care routine has allowed Jack to maintain both his mental and physical health, which has positively impacted his overall academic performance.

Jack also places his family at the top of his priorities. By designating Sundays as family time, he is able to preserve their bond, ensuring that academic responsibilities do not cast a shadow over the quality moments he shares with his family.

He believes that effective prioritisation is crucial for maintaining good academic performance. This approach has taught him a well-rounded perspective that enriches both his personal life and educational journey.

Meet Trishell

Trishell attended a specialised science high school, where she honed her analytical and mathematical abilities. This experience sparked her passion for engineering, along with the array of captivating career prospects it presented. Opting for mechanical engineering and immersing herself in its various domains, she developed a strong interest in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Trishell’s focus particularly gravitated towards HVAC systems within residential, commercial, and industrial contexts.

Trishell derives a sense of contentment from meticulous organisation and adhering to her set schedule. She finds satisfaction in employing both traditional pen-and-paper journaling and modern online tracking applications. This combined approach allows her to manage specific tasks while simultaneously maintaining a holistic perspective on her daily, weekly, and semester-based goals. This practice has cultivated discipline and a sense of responsibility over her time and efforts.

Nurturing her social connections and personal well-being is also a priority for Trishell. She recognises how these aspects contribute to her mental well-being, ultimately enhancing her academic performance.

A mindset of sustainability

Trishell was part of the Philippines’ delegation to the STEP STEM Alive! 2019, a week-long science camp held in Singapore. In preparation for the camp, her team was tasked with identifying a challenge related to sustainable cities and communities that could be tackled through engineering solutions. Through immersion in the local community around Trishell’s university and extensive engagement, they pinpointed the issue of inadequate housing design for urban populations.

While the activity’s scope was primarily focused on problem identification rather than comprehensive problem-solving, Trishell takes pride in the meticulous approach they adopted to articulate the problem statement. The team’s accomplishment resonated with her, as they actively listened to the community’s voice and diligently incorporated their sentiments into formulating the problem statement.

“It has always been a reminder that as an engineer and Iskolar ng Bayan (scholar of the state), there is always an invitation to serve and give back to society using the skill sets that I have.” -Trishell, on her commitments as an engineer

Simplicity in approach and solution

As part of one of Trishell’s final courses, she was tasked with presenting a design project aimed at enhancing an existing product. Amidst the multitude of innovations and engineering creations available, choosing a suitable project concept posed a significant challenge. Trishell noticed that the abundance of choices could lead to feeling overwhelmed and cause essential aspects to be overlooked. Employing a scientific problem-solving methodology proved remarkably advantageous for Trishell: conducting thorough product research, identifying problems, generating potential solutions, evaluating their feasibility, and implementing them.

Trishell decided to enhance a product with personal utility, either for her own use or for those within her immediate circle. By the end of the academic year, she successfully crafted a collapsible router table with precise adjustment capabilities, utilizing a lead screw mechanism. Presently, her father benefits from this creation and employs it for his personal woodworking projects within their home.

About Black & White

Black & White Engineering is a dynamic and innovative engineering company that specialises in delivering innovative and high-quality MEP design engineering solutions for a wide range of industries. We are known for delivering innovative, effective, and simple sustainable solutions to complex challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Backed with more than 15 years of experience, our growing One Global Team of highly skilled engineers and specialists works collaboratively to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

www.bw-engineering.com