US engineering society specialized in heating, refrigerating and air conditioning headquartered on Campus
Photo: Thais Gonçalves
PUCRS opened its doors to Darryl Boyce, president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), a group of professionals specialized in heating, refrigerating and air conditioning. The society has more than 56,000 members from 132 different countries and has an office at PUCRS.
ASHRAE Porto Alegre Student Branch is led by professors Dr Sérgio Boscato Garcia and Bruno de Rosso Ribeiro. Heitor Tremea, a Mechanical Engineering major, has founded and served as president of ASHRAE Porto Alegre Student Branch and is today the Student Activities Chair do ASHRAE Brasil Chapter. Another Mechanical Engineering major, Student Bernardo Baldasso, serves as the current president of ASHRAE Porto Alegre Student Branch.
At ASHRAE’s main office at PUCRS, the group of volunteering students will be joining efforts to encourage and disseminate the knowledge of sustainable projects in air conditioning, heating, ventilation and cooling. “The group has a team of 25 members at the University. It is firmly engaged in creating seminars, technical visits, short courses and international projects”, comments Garcia, School of Technology professor.
In his view, one of the greatest advantages of the project are the networking activities that involve students. There are more than ten Student Branches in different states of Brazil and more than 350 members, including professionals and students. They have the chance to come in contact with people from other countries, especially in the Americas.
Boyce, who works at Carleton University (Canada), and Walter Lenzi, one of the Brazilian representatives of ASHRAE, were welcomed at the Office for International Cooperation by the Dean Dr Heloísa Delgado, as they discussed means to strengthen their relationship. The society seeks to encourage the mobility between the institutions in an effort to foster group work, especially involving research groups.
During the visit to PUCRS, Boyce paid a visit to the Center for Demonstration of Renewable Energies (CEDER) and to the Thermal Processes and Air Conditioning Teaching Laboratory (LEPTA). The president of the society promised to establish stronger ties between universities in Brazil, USA and Canada by creating mobility opportunities for Student Branch students and advancing their engagement with the sector.
About ASHRAE
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society that promotes human wellness through sustainable technology for built environments. The society and its members specialize in system development, energy efficiency, quality of internal air, refrigeration and sustainability in the industry. Its activities are anchored in research actions, designing of standards, publications and continued education.
