23/10/2003

From grass roots to great heights - six young engineers win prestigious bursaries

Six young engineers have won £7,000 bursaries from the Royal Academy of Engineering Panasonic Trust to enable them to start MSc courses in environmental engineering at universities in the UK.

“It is a pleasure to see young engineers so interested in critical issues such as renewable resources and development and that we are able to support them in their career development,” says Robin Bond FREng, Chairman of the Panasonic Trustees.

International development
Two young engineers will be joining the MSc course in Engineering for Development at Southampton University. During her studies in Jordan and her work experience as an engineer in Sudan, Hind Elseed, 31, became aware of poor communities where essential infrastructure facilities and services were either lacking or fell into disuse. With the help of the bursary she says, she hopes to merge her professional skills as a civil engineer with the specific knowledge of appropriate technologies offered by the course to provide high quality services to developing communities. Sarah Coote, 22, also experienced the problems of a developing country growing up in Zambia. For her, this Masters will “deepen my understanding of the wider issues involved and help me to become a more well-rounded and competent engineer able to operate and manage projects that will help others in the future.”

Sustainable resources for sustaining communities
Andrew McMurray, 22, will be using his Fellowship bursary to study an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology at Loughborough University. Andrew had studied electrical and electronic engineering in Ireland. He admits that he is passionate about the environment and studying for a Masters within the field of renewable energy will allow him to pursue his hobby into a future career.

Bethan Evans, 24, originally studied to be a chemical engineer but the call to help in the development of creating a sustainable future has led her to pursue a Master in Renewable Energy at the European Renewable Energy Centres Agency (EUREC) at the Ecole des Mines de Paris. She wants to become more involved in the field of renewable energy as it is an “exciting and rapidly expanding area…I will get an immense feeling of satisfaction working towards a more sustainable future” says Bethan.

University of Strathclyde will be gaining an engineer with a strong interest in mathematics on to their Masters course, Energy Systems and the Environment. Gordon Day, 37, believes that there is a great deal of improvement to be made on current wind farm design and that “mathematical modelling will provide improvements not only in design, but ultimately, in efficiency and environmental acceptance of wind farms.” Gordon adds that, “renewable energy sources will eventually become the most widespread international energy industry and I wish to become part of that industry.”

Into the sky
Avionics engineer, John McElhone, 24, will be using his bursary to attend Cranfield University in order to improve his understanding of aeronautics and expand his general analytical engineering skills. He will be studying their MSc course in Aerospace Dynamics.

Looking to the future, John hopes that a second degree might assist him in pursuing his professional interests which include air accident investigation, as well as simulation and flight testing.

ends

1. The Panasonic Trust Fellowships were endowed by a £500,000 gift from Panasonic UK Ltd in 1997 to assist students on full-time Masters courses in environment-related subjects. The Panasonic Trust itself was founded in 1984, managed by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and has enabled over 1000 young engineers to take part-time modular Masters courses to update their skills – it was one of the first grant schemes actively to promote continuing professional development.
   
   
2. These Fellowships are aimed at recent graduates who wish to take a full-time Masters degree course in environmental studies or sustainable development. The Fellowship, currently worth £7000, covers the costs of studying on an associated course at a UK university. Applicants must have a degree in engineering or allied subject, belong to an engineering institution and have at least 12 months’ industrial experience.
   
   
3. The Royal Academy of Engineering brings together the UK’s most eminent engineers from all disciplines. They use their unrivalled knowledge and experience for the public good, giving independent advice to Government, supporting engineering education and research and encouraging excellence and innovation.
   

For more information please contact:

Lize King at the Royal Academy of Engineering