Limerick’s Cotter Brothers win Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award
Limerick brothers Jack and Nick Cotter have won the Engineers Ireland Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award 2019, sponsored by Siemens, for their lamb handling system, the Cotter Crate.
This article was originally published by the Farming Independent on October 25 2019. Link - https://www.independent.ie/business/farming/sheep/limerick-brothers-win-engineering-award-for-lamb-handling-system-38630977.html
Now in its 21st year, the annual competition focuses on showcasing innovation excellence amongst engineering third-level students across Ireland. Five student finalists were invited to present on their projects, which ranged from medical to housing and agriculture innovations, to a panel of judges at the competition final in Dogpatch Labs, Dublin.
Jack Cotter (21), studying Process and Management Engineering at Limerick Institute of Technology, and Nick (18), a first-year student of Law and Business at UCC, devised the system for quick, safe, easy and accurate administration of vaccines, doses and drenches to lambs on sheep farms worldwide.
In addition to being awarded the title of Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award, the brothers also received a €2,000 prize fund.
Commenting on the students’ ability to develop innovative solutions to challenges faced by industry and people in everyday society, Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland said: “The initiatives shortlisted for the Innovative Student Engineer of the Year Award competition are a testament to the talent and creativity that exists in our third-level education institutions. Today’s engineering students will soon take the role of Ireland’s future engineering leaders and will be at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for communities in Ireland and overseas. Congratulations to the Cotter brothers and each of the shortlisted finalists and I wish each project team every success with their future studies and engineering careers.”
Gary O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Siemens Ltd., said “ Siemens is committed to ensuring that young people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in and meet the challenges of a technology-led future. “We are proud to partner with Engineers Ireland to provide a unique platform for Ireland’s most innovative engineering students. The innovative and creative projects which have been showcased today at the competition final in Dogpatch Labs have each taken a unique approach to challenges faced by communities throughout Ireland. Congratulations to all of the finalists here today, particularly to Jack and Nick Cotter for winning the award outright, and based on the quality of submissions we have seen, I have every confidence each finalist will enjoy great success in their respective careers ahead,” Mr O’Callaghan concluded. Later in November, Nick and Jack Cotter will joined Ireland’s best engineering leaders and teams at the 2019 Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards, held in association with ESB, where they were be joined by over 400 engineering professionals to celebrate and showcase Ireland’s best engineering talent. The brothers were a highlight on the night, delivering their acceptance speech with the entrepreneurial spirit, confidence and high energy that has gotten them to where they are today.