University staff and students from a range of disciplines join forces for frontline workers

University students and staff from across the state have come together to help protect frontline workers in a move that will change the way students collaborate in the future.

UNIVERSITY of Tasmania staff and students have been using 3D printers and laser cutters to make protective face shields for health workers.

About 30 academics and technical staff across a range of disciplines have been working with a team of students to supply the shields to GP clinics and hospitals.

The project is led by University College chief executive Lee Whiteley, who said the work was being carried out across the Hobart, Cradle Coast and Launceston campuses.

“A number of technical staff are utilising their extensive experience with CNC routers, laser cutters and 3D printers,” Mr Whiteley said.

“I come from a manufacturing background and it was obvious to me that we had the technical expertise across the university and the infrastructure. In a situation like this the university clearly has something to offer from a community perspective.”

Arts School skills technician Peter Stannard with one of the face shields. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Whiteley said it was a challenge to source the plastic base products, given global demand, but the team had enough raw material from Tasmanian and interstate suppliers to produce about 3000 face shields.

He said while it was possible to sterilise and re-use the shields, multi-use depended on the specific purpose and protocols of the end user.

Head of Architecture and Design Greg Nolan said the student volunteers involved were benefiting from the professional experience and social interaction.

“Helping to make the shields gives them the chance to play an active role assisting our health workers, and to display the technical and organisational skills they have learnt,” Professor Nolan said.

“For students living by themselves during social isolation, this project provides the opportunity for them to come together and do something meaningful with people they know.

“Also, our students will be the professionals of the future. They need to know that they can get in there and make a difference.”

Arts School skills technicians Dr Phill Blacklow and Peter Stannard with the machine used to make the face shields. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The collaboration includes staff and students from the University College and Australian Maritime College and the schools of architecture and design, health and medicine, engineering and creative arts and media.

Mr Whiteley said it would change the way students across different fields of study collaborated in the future.

“It’s causing us to think about how those students might work differently together post-COVID,” he said.