Harper Adams hosts Engineering Professors’ Council Congress Fit for the Future

Posted 29 May 2018

 Engineering academics and professionals from all over the UK have attended the Engineering Professors’ Council’s (EPC) annual congress entitled ‘Fit for the Future’ at Harper Adams University.

The two-day congress explored different approaches to teaching, research and industry input in preparing graduates with the right skills to be effective engineers.

David Allen, EPC Congress Convener and Senior Lecturer at Harper said: “The level of debate and interaction which has gone on has been fantastic. We’ve had some excellent speakers and some really exciting debates.”

A highlight of the event was Richard Noble OBE, driver of Thrust 2 and holder of the land speed record from 1983 to 1997, giving a talk and describing how as project director of Bloodhound SSC his aim is to develop a supersonic car to break the land speed record in 2020 at a speed in excess of 1,000mph.

Kate Cresswell-Maynard, Chief Executive of Engineering without Borders said: “For me, the event has shown that there’s a genuine desire, motivation and passion for ensuring that the education of engineers is fit for the future.

“I’m not saying the lecture is dead but I definitely think there is an appreciation that there’s a more diverse way of teaching and educating young people to become brilliant engineers.”

Jonny Rich Chief Executive of EPC said: “I’m really pleased with how this congress has gone. Every year the EPC goes to a new institution to visit and to see what’s going on and coming to Harper Adams as a specialist institution with such innovative cutting edge work has been a revelation to many of the delegates here. They have seen a very different angle to what is going on in higher education.”

At the congress dinner, the President’s Award was presented to Dame Ann Dowling for services to engineering education, and the Hammermen Award for Jonathan Glen, MEng Agricultural Engineering student for engagement in extracurricular engineering activities at Harper Adams. The EPC delegates also took full advantage of Harper Adams’ unique facilities with an off-road experience and the opportunity to see agri-tech in action with a tour of the Hands Free Hectare site.

Alistair Taylor, Chief Executive of the Institute of Agricultural of Engineers said: “I found the event extremely encouraging and invigorating. I think the individuals taking part have participated fully with new ideas and ensuring that the status quo doesn’t go unchallenged.”