Ray Meyer Medal for Excellence in Student Design
- Sponsored by GHD

This award is presented annually to the student orgroup of students who submit the best final-year project with a substantial design component as part of an IPENZ-accredited qualification.

Opening and closing dates
Entry and judging criteria
Award presentation
Medal history and previous recipients
Award sponsor: GHD - supporting young engineers

Opening and closing dates

Applications are open from 1 August and close in the second week of December. Entry forms will be available for download via the website when the award is open.

Entry and judging criteria

The award is open to students in all fields of engineering in which IPENZ accredits qualifications. Design-based projects are not only undertaken in subjects that contain a specific design project component but may also be available in some final-year research projects where the object is to design, build and demonstrate a new or improved device. There is no cost to enter the award.

Judging criteria

Applications are judged in accordance with the following criteria:

• Performance against the learning outcomes set out in the designated paper's academic requirements
• Clear specification of requirements and constraints
• Identification and preliminary evaluation of potential solutions
• Detailed technical analysis of one or more preferred options
• Detailed evaluation of a preferred solution against the requirements and constraints
• Consideration of social, environmental and economic impacts
• Quality of presentation and its communication of ideas. 

Beyond these formal criteria the judges look for innovation in design solutions, recognising that design is essentially a creative activity. The criteria do not carry equal weight.

Award presentation

The award consists of a medal and certificate presentation ceremony at the annual IPENZ Fellows' and Achievers' Dinner in March. Assistance is provided to the winner/s and the nominator with meeting reasonable travel costs within New Zealand to attend the presentation.

Medal history and previous winners

Professor Ray Meyer DistFIPENZ was President of IPENZ in 1982-1983. He was Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Auckland from 1971-1974 and 1978-1992. Throughout his career he was actively involved in research design and commercialisation. He has held and holds positions on the governing boards of a number of companies in which excellence in engineering is essential to business. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1997 for his contribution to engineering and education.

The award is named in recognition of Professor Meyer's achievements and aims to encourage a new generation of innovative engineering designers.

Previous winners of the Ray Meyer Medal for Excellence in Student Design

Award sponsor: GHD - supporting young engineers

International professional services company GHD is a vibrant business, recognised as one of New Zealand's "Fast 50" companies. In February 2008 it was announced one of New Zealand’s “Best Places to Work”. GHD’s focus is on clients, people and performance. It is delighted to sponsor the Ray Meyer Medal and support young New Zealanders in their pursuit of fresh ideas and bright futures.