End of Season Address: Kevin Liang
It has been an extraordinary year for our team. Queen’s Hyperloop, despite all the struggles and disappointments from the pandemic, has returned to the world stage once again. We took great risks and got lucky one too many times, but we are here now - so it’s time to learn our lessons, put all of this behind, and do it all over again in the next season.
Are we where we want to be? Not yet. There’s a long way to go from what we have seen at EHW. We can’t afford to become complacent from CHC.
Are we getting there? Debatable. It will take time and a lot of money to propel ourselves in every way we want to go. Even then we would still lag behind for quite a bit, but at least we are moving.
Are we going to make it? Absolutely! We know what we must do and have the power to keep pushing forward. But we must be honest with ourselves here, there won’t be an instantaneous solution - far from it, we are setting goals in years, not months, and we need to pull a lot of resources from all over.
Still, we have been facing difficulties since day one, so it won’t be anything new. We have been working too many late nights and drank too many Red Bulls; started at dawn and went home at dusk, we worked hard to stay on our feet and we never stopped moving. If there’s one thing we need to take away from this year, then it must be the fact that we are a team of action and we earned it through trials and tribulations. So, even though these new challenges may trump everything we have seen before, I still believe that our spirit and experience will continue to carry us forward - until we become the driving force behind this technology and the shining star of this continent (and beyond!).
As I leave my role behind and prepare for my internship year, I am feeling hopeful for QHDT’s future. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you, both returning and new members, for your unwavering dedication and perseverance in solving our greatest problems. If there's any team that can create another remarkable year, it's you. But let's do it together, through collaboration and trust. Not one great thing in the world can last forever, so we must adapt and strategize constantly, which takes time and effort. At the same time, our initiatives have just began to take hold, allowing our members to finally realize their potential and get engaged with our line of work. All of these things and more are now coming together, so keep it going and reap the rewards soon.
So, come on! We have another incredible pod to build, more research to dive into, big challenges to conquer, freaking holes to dig, shiny awards to bring home, and unforgettable memories to create both locally and abroad. Have faith, work hard, and play even harder!
Goodbye QHDT! I will remember the sweatshops, hike in the rain, and the broom jokes (only one person will get it, either the joke or the broom). It was breathtaking to be on top of Arthur’s Seat, and to see the rainbow right when it all ends - poetic.
Finally, I want to echo Fakid’s address from 2019 and add a final message to new and potential members: We are a big team with a big portfolio, but your voice still matters! Let your thoughts be realized and voice be heard, so that we can all learn and grow. Give feedback and never be afraid to ask the big questions - our team is always on a foundation of trust and mutual benefits, where everyone matters.
We've already reached the mountain tops of Edinburgh, and now, it’s time to go even higher.
Kevin Liang
2022/2023 Co-Captain
Queen’s Hyperloop Design Team
* Special shout-out to Alex Sun, our Director of Logistics this year, for doing all the boring work and getting us to the right places at the right time.