VC Recognised as Friend of EEESTA

John Christopher (left), Chairman of EEESTA,
makes the presentation to Professor Tim Wilson.

EEESTA was pleased to make Professor Tim Wilson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, a Friend of EEESTA in recognition of his help and support in achieving the Association's aims over 12 years. Pictured is John Christopher, EEESTA Chairman, making the presentation in December 2010 prior to Tim's retirement at the end of the year.

A somewhat grander recognition followed as Tim was appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to higher education and to business in the 2011 New Years Honours List. He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire in September 2003 following an academic career with Leeds Metropolitan, Cranfield and De Montfort universities. As well as serving on the Board of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, he has been a Board member of the East of England Development Agency for six years and also Deputy Chair of the CBI Innovation, Science and Technology Committee.

We wish Sir Tim well in his deserved retirement and look forward to welcoming him along with the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Quitin McKellar, at future EEESTA Prestige Seminars.

Greenpower Regional Finals

EEESTA was pleased to be able to join the IMechE Eastern Regional Committee in supporting the Greenpower regional finals which ran on 12th September. Held at Bedford Autodrome, there were two classes of entry. Six teams comprising 25 students aged 16 - 25 years old entered in the Formula 24+. The second race, Formula 24, had 23 teams from 19 schools competing - with 129 pupils aged between 11 - 16 years taking part. Full results from both these races are available at www.greenpower.co.uk along with the race report for the Formula 24 event and pictures here.

The winners then took part in the National Finals held at Goodwood on 8th October. The overall winner was Zebedee from Sandbach High School in Cheshire, while two supplementary awards were won by Basildon Young Engineers - the Most Improved Car and the IMechE Best Engineered Car.

EEESTA To Support STEM Activities:

EEESTA is keen to encourage young people into STEM careers. To that end the Board decided that some of EEESTA’s reserves would be used to support STEM activities in after school clubs and activities.

Please see this document for a full explanation of how to make an application.

ERA Reports industrial power is essential requirement:

The ERA Foundation contributes to the economic vitality of the UK by supporting activities that help bridge the gap between research and exploitation in electrotechnology.

Visit www.erafoundation.org and read their latest report on "The Sustainability of the UK Economy in an Era of Declining Productive Capability." at www.erafoundation.org/docs/ERAF_4thReport_March10.pdf.

CBI say more STEM education needed:

"There is an urgent need to increase the number and quality of science, technology, engineering and maths graduates." so says CBI report New Government in Action.

See www.cbi.org.uk/pdf/20100222-new-government-in-action.pdf.

STEM University places funded:

The Chancellor now realises and commits a one off £270m to help create 20,000 more University places for students to study subjects like maths, science or engineering.

Read more at www.studentswapshop.com/Money_matters/News_Flash.html.

Minimum wage for apprentices:

At last... a minimum wage has been recommended for apprentices.

See www.hrmguide.co.uk/rewards/minimum_wage.htm

Innovation and industrial regeneration :

The first Lady Lucy Houston lecture and dinner was attended by 100 guests at Clare College in Cambridge on the evening of Wednesday 17th March where the audience heard from Professor Paul Kennedy from Yale University.

See www.scee.org.uk/events/dinner

Engineering:

Turning ideas into reality

"The recent economic crisis has presented the Government with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restructure the economy by building on the existing substantial strengths of UK engineering."

This report suggests how that could be achieved.

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmdius/50/5002.htm

Championing Britain’s knowledge based economy:

Lord Mandelson’s speech to the CBI Manufacturing Dinner reinforces the message.

Lord Sainsbury:

Educating a New Generation of Engineers and Scientists

Lord Sainsbury looks at how well the young scientists and engineers being produced by the UK’s education and training system match the need the UK has for world-class skills to enable it to compete in the new global economy.

Read more and see the full lecture by visiting http://tv.theiet.org/channels/news/1566.cfm