To help break down the barriers that prevent students from attending its annual conference, TAC offers at least one student grant to enhance their educational opportunities outside the classroom.
In 2024, Elaheh NasiriAmiri, a student pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, received the TAC Student Grant to attend the 2024 TAC Conference & Exhibition in Vancouver, September 22-25.
Elaheh received a full conference registration and free accommodation and travel to the conference. She provided the following as a summary of her Conference experience.
Q. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your Conference experience and why?
A. I would rate my experience a 9. The conference was well-organized, provided valuable insights, and allowed me to network with professionals in my field. It was a highly educational experience with a few minor logistical challenges.
Q. How was the Conference beneficial educationally and professionally?
A. The conference was highly beneficial both educationally and professionally. It expanded my knowledge of sustainable transportation solutions, particularly in pavement engineering, and introduced me to new research methodologies and technologies. Professionally, it offered an opportunity to network with industry experts and other young professionals.
Q. Tell us why you feel students should attend the Conference.
A. Students should attend because it provides exposure to cutting-edge research and practical industry solutions, which can bridge the gap between academic studies and real-world applications. It also offers unique mentorship and professional networking opportunities that are invaluable for career development.
Q. What did you enjoy the most at the Conference?
A. I enjoyed presenting my research on sustainable asphalt mixture, especially since it was my first time presenting to such a large audience of industry professionals. Additionally, I appreciated the beautiful venues TAC selected for the special events, which perfectly showcased the stunning city of Vancouver.
Q. What did you value the most at the Conference?
A. The networking opportunities were the most valuable. Meeting experts in transportation and young professionals with similar interests provided me with new perspectives and potential collaborations.
Q. Would you like to share any thoughts or anecdotes related to the Conference?
A. One aspect that I found disappointing was that some of the pavement sessions and discussion panels were scheduled simultaneously, preventing me from attending them. I wish I could have participated in those discussions. However, I enjoyed several sessions highlighting the work of students from top universities in Canada, as it gave me valuable insights into current research trends in my field. It was inspiring to see the innovative approaches being explored by my peers.
Note: Conference delegates can access recordings of sessions they weren’t able to attend for several months after the event. Don’t miss out on valuable insights—log in to the conference App or virtual portal to catch up on any sessions at your convenience.
