To Prevent COVID-19, Unhas Engineering Students Create a Simple Hand-Washing Machine
In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, students from the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University (FT Unhas) built a hand-washing machine.
The students’ project was handed over to Unhas leadership on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, on the first floor of the Unhas Rectorate Building in Tamalanrea.
The handover ceremony followed strict health procedures in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols.
The hand-washing machine was officially accepted by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Muhammad Restu, on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
Also in attendance were the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Alumni, Prof. Arsunan; the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, Prof. Nasrum Massi; and the Director of Communications at Unhas, Suharman Hamzah.
Mukti Ali, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Partnerships at the Unhas Faculty of Engineering, explained that these hand washers come in several versions, each designed for specific purposes and public use.
“Today we are officially handing over the first version, which we have named HW-1. This version is designed for outdoor use where it will be used by many people very frequently. Its design is more robust,” said Mukti in a press release received by tribun-timur.com.
Each hand washer unit features a pedal system to control the water flow.
At the top of this first version is a reservoir capable of holding a substantial amount of water, allowing it to be used for handwashing by hundreds of people.
The machine is also equipped with a liquid soap dispenser that dispenses soap when the pedal is pressed with the foot.
The Dean of the Unhas Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Muhammad Arsyad, explained that this student project is part of the faculty leadership’s policy to encourage the academic community—including students—to contribute to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We formed the Faculty of Engineering’s COVID-19 Task Force as a group of volunteers, each playing various roles in efforts to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Some are engaged in developing technological innovations, while others are active in the social and community sectors,” he said.
During the machine’s development, the students were guided by several faculty advisors appointed by the faculty leadership.
Meanwhile, the students’ work on this machine counts toward their credit hours as part of relevant coursework.
The Dean of the Unhas Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Muhammad Arsyad, explained that this student project is part of the faculty leadership’s policy to encourage the academic community—including students—to contribute to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We formed the Faculty of Engineering’s COVID-19 Task Force as a group of volunteers, each playing various roles in efforts to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. Some are engaged in developing technological innovations, while others are active in the social and community sectors,” he said.
During the machine’s development, the students were guided by several faculty advisors appointed by the faculty leadership.
Meanwhile, the students’ work on this project counts toward their course credits as part of relevant coursework.