Harper Adams Student Triumphs at National Engineering Awards

Posted 21 May 2007

Harper Adams University College is proud to announce that John Gittins, a BEng degree student, has won the Johnson New Holland Trophy Award at the prestigious National Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) Annual Conference.

The Johnson New Holland Trophy Award was instigated to encourage and recognise innovations by students of Agricultural Engineering subjects to the application of engineering to the land based sector. John was up against individuals and groups of students from universities and colleges from across the UK.

Tom Underhill, John’s Project Supervisor at the Shropshire-based University College, nominated and submitted a summary of his final year thesis to the Awards Judging Panel. John’s thesis investigated the conceptualisation and design of a rotational and telescopic dipper arm for a backhoe loader. Tom said "John is an exceptional young man who brought his wide practical experience and skills together with considerable academic abilities to bear on this project."

The judging panel was extremely impressed with John’s application and congratulated him on an excellent and well-presented project.

John, who is from a family run farm in Oswestry, Shropshire, gained a first class BEng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering degree and is delighted to have won this prestigious award. He says "I am honoured to have had my project recognised and acknowledged by IAgrE. I am proud to be studying in an institution which is at the forefront of engineering in the land-based sector, and one which can provide home grown professional engineers." He continues "To ensure future success, British engineering companies need graduates who have the ability to adapt and change. Using the skills acquired at Harper Adams, and through my work experience I would like to play a leading role in securing British engineering’s future."

John is now studying for a full time MSc. in Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University College. A Masters level degree will be a step closer to his long term goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer.

The Engineering courses at Harper Adams University College are accredited by the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. BEng and MEng students are also accredited for initial registration as Chartered Engineers with the Engineering Council (UK). Harper Adams has close links with the agricultural engineering industry and work placements at these recognised companies give students a very sound footing. This coupled with the strong engineering and management elements to the courses Harper Adams students have the skills to find employment throughout the engineering industry.

For further details of Harper Adams University College please go to: www.harper-adams.ac.uk

For further details of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers please go to: www.iagre.org.uk