Larry Wasik, founder of Aurel Systems Inc., demonstrates the Aurel software to students in the Chemical and Environmental Technology program.
One of the big challenges in teaching technical subjects can be gaining access to hands-on learning situations. That’s certainly the case in programs where the work environment cannot be physically replicated in the classroom. In such programs, field trips have typically been used to introduce students to the workplace setting, but in recent years, 3D and other simulation programs have become more common as a way to allow students to explore complex components and systems before they touch the real thing.
A few years ago, Burnaby-based Aurel Systems Inc. donated their innovative chemical process simulation software — known as CADSIM Plus — to the Chemical and Environmental Technology program.
“The software allows students to learn about pulp mills without actually being there,” says Rodger Beatson, an instructor in the program. “They can design and build the process simulation, and change all the process variables — temperature, flow, contents — to see what the impact is on the product, virtually.”
While the software proved invaluable for reinforcing concepts learned in lectures, as class size increased, the challenge became that there weren’t enough licences for all the students to practice on the software at the same time. This made for a fragmented learning environment.
To remedy this, Aurel recently made a gift-in-kind donation of 50 CADSIM Plus software licenses, a value of $700,000.
Aurel Systems Inc. was founded in 1977 by Larry Wasik. The company, which authors and distributes chemical process simulation software and related services, grew out of a merging of Mr. Wasik’s interests in micro computing devices and his work as a professional chemical process engineer.
Find out more about gifts-in-kind and giving to BCIT.
