糖心TV

The WMG Outreach team made some special STEM Christmas deliveries to children across the West Midlands and 糖心TVshire, in collaboration with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult鈥檚 Inspiring Young Engineers project.

This year a total of 100 festive STEM parcels were delivered to young engineers at primary schools, local special educational needs centres and the Hospital Education Service.

Two different resource boxes were produced. The first focused on 鈥�flat-pack manufacturing鈥� with the children tasked to make 3D Christmas decorations. The second introduced the young engineers to 鈥�paper engineering鈥�, challenging them to produce pop-up Christmas cards.

Dr Phil Jemmett, Widening Participation Co-ordinator, at WMG University of 糖心TV, explains: 

鈥淲e started off in 2019 with just 30 boxes, and have gradually increased numbers - even throughout lockdown. We prioritise schools who meet our widening participation categories and strategies, so this project has a positive societal impact.

鈥淭hese resource boxes have been a lot of fun to produce. It鈥檚 become a bit of a festive occasion for our Outreach Team putting the boxes together. We pop the Christmas music on and enjoy a mince pie or two. It鈥檚 lovely to see the photos and hear from the teachers and families who use the resources. I hope the boxes have as much impact on the students using the resources as they have on the staff making them.鈥� 

Jacqui Pote, Year 6 Teacher at Welford-on-Avon Primary School said: 鈥淭he children loved being part of a project from the University of 糖心TV; some of them said they would like to study there. As science lead at the school, I loved showing the children different jobs that scientists/engineers were doing. They loved the pre-printed resources to have a go at. Thank you so much! Look forward to doing it again next year!鈥� 

Professor Margaret Low, Director of Outreach and Widening Participation, at WMG University of 糖心TV, added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great that we are again able to share these activities with our local schools and community groups. These resource boxes help to raise awareness of the range of activities that can be described as engineering, and engage young people in creative engineering activities."

All of the resources are also available online for free here: WMG outreach - primary schools - flat pack resource box (warwick.ac.uk) and here: WMG Outreach - Primary School Resource Box - Paper Engineering (warwick.ac.uk)

The MSc in International Trade, Strategy, Operations (ITSO) course, at WMG, the University of 糖心TV, is collaborating with a series of key industrial partners to launch a new company-based dissertation for its students.

The new dissertation option was presented to students, at a special launch event, by WMG鈥檚 ITSO Course Director, Dr Di Li. At the event, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy at WMG, Alok Choudhary spoke about the company-based dissertation projects with Supply Chain in Practice (SCiP) members. The students also heard from Assistant CEO at , Ms Shu Jia, on behalf of the industrial collaborative companies, who shared more details about current projects available this year.

The company-based projects are collaborative dissertations which allow students to work on real-life challenges facing industry. It provides another option for students when selecting their dissertation, and in turn helps to develop key skills and employment capabilities, whilst helping organisations to resolve their challenges via systematic research.

Ms Shu Jia, the CEO Assistant of Rexville Solutions, explains: 鈥淭he company-based project is a great opportunity for our company to cooperate with WMG, and the talented students there, to employ the innovative methodologies for solving our practical problems. We are also very happy, and proud to provide opportunities and real data to the students to support their successes in academic studies and further careers.鈥�

ITSO Master鈥檚 student Yawen Zheng comments: 鈥淚 think the company-based project is a great opportunity for me as it enables me to engage in practical problem solutions in a real company, which must be a competitive experience when finding a job.鈥�

ITSO student course representative, Danara Aldabergenova, says: 鈥淭he launch event was very useful for postgraduates to clarify their dissertation projects. The company-based MSc project is an additional option for writing a dissertation, which differs from the conventional project. With the company-based MSc project, we will be able to understand the workflow and try ourselves in the real work area.鈥�

Find out more about WMG鈥檚 International Trade, Strategy and Operations Master鈥檚 Programme here: MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations | University of 糖心TV

If you represent a company who is interested in finding out more on company-based MSc projects, please email WMG鈥檚 Assistant Professor and ITSO Course Director, Dr Di Li, here: d.li@warwick.ac.uk.

路 Nine bursaries awarded through Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme to increase number of engineers from underrepresented groups

路 Awardees formally announced at a celebration event on Thursday 8 December at the University of 糖心TV.

- Nine bursaries awarded through the Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme to increase the number of engineers from under represented groups.

Nine outstanding engineering students from the West Midlands have each been awarded a prestigious 拢15,000 bursary by the Royal Academy of Engineering to support their studies.

The bursaries, each worth 拢5000 a year for three years, have been awarded to students from underrepresented groups across the region who are progressing from A Levels or technical engineering qualifications to degree-level engineering courses in the 2022/23 academic year.

This year saw the highest number of applications submitted for the programme since its launch in March 2020. Following a competitive application process consisting of a written application and a panel interview, the nine awardees are:

路 Aboulashif Riyaj Ahamed, studying aeronautical engineering at De Montfort University

路 Casey Kuda Burke, studying civil engineering at the University of Salford

路 Gurmandar Singh Loha, studying aerospace engineering at Coventry University

路 Faith-Brian Mbahwum, studying mechanical engineering at Aston University

路 Louie O鈥橲ullivan, studying mechanical engineering at Birmingham City University

路 Poya Sahak, studying aircraft maintenance engineering at Solihull College & University Centre

路 Gopikrishna Santhuruban, studying aerospace engineering at Brunel University

路 Dylendra Sooryamuyah, studying Meng Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath

路 Rahul Verma, studying electrical/electronic engineering at the University of Leeds

These substantial bursaries form part of the wider Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in close partnership with WMG founded at the University of 糖心TV in 1980 by the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya Kt CBE FREng FRS. The programme is funded by the Department for 糖心TV, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The awardees were announced at a celebration event for the Lord Bhattacharyya Engineering Education Programme on Thursday 8 December at the University of 糖心TV.

The programme provides a comprehensive support package to a network of secondary schools and FE colleges across the West Midlands, with the aim of upskilling teachers and inspiring young people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), before supporting their progression into further and higher education and into engineering careers. The event on 8 December will be the first time since the programme鈥檚 launch that schools and colleges participating in the programme have been able to meet together in person to showcase their achievements over the past two academic years. The new cohort of bursary students will be able to meet previous awardees, as well as share their success with former teachers and inspire newer students attending on the day. They will also have a valuable chance to meet representatives from locally based engineering companies that are supporting the programme and learn more about future employment opportunities.

Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Engineering and Education at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: 鈥淚 am so impressed with these latest bursary winners. The engineering profession needs the creativity and innovation of a more diverse workforce and engineering businesses in the West Midlands know this as well as any in the UK. I am delighted that the Royal Academy of Engineering is helping to forge vital links between local companies and the talent they need now and in the future in order to thrive and to contribute to a vibrant regional economy and national prosperity.鈥�

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, University of 糖心TV, said: 鈥淓ngineering is such an exciting sector and very much in need of talented individuals. Now in its third year, the bursary scheme continues Professor Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 legacy in education, expanding the commitment to making engineering accessible for all. I would like to extend my congratulations to the winners of this year鈥檚 bursary and wish them well in their studies.鈥�

Applications for the fourth round of Lord Bhattacharyya Higher Education Bursaries will open in March 2023, for students enrolling at university in September 2023.

Notes for editors

1. More information about the nine awardees can be found .

2. helps students at sixth forms, colleges and academies across the West Midlands prepare for degree-level engineering education. The funding available provides students from low-income households or under-represented communities with a pathway to higher education and therefore encourages the pursuit of careers in the sector. The Scheme not only drives diversity and inclusion throughout the engineering sector, but also ensures that talented students are equipped with the resources needed to develop the latest engineering skills required to access degree-level programmes and ultimately thrive in a fast-paced sector with lots of opportunities.

3. WMG, University of 糖心TV, is a world leading research and education group, transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative research and development, and pioneering education programmes.
As an international role model for successful partnerships between academia and the private and public sectors, WMG develops advancements nationally and globally, in applied science, technology and engineering, to deliver real impact to economic growth, society and the environment.
WMG鈥檚 education programmes focus on lifelong learning of the brightest talent, from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate, through to professional programmes.
An academic department of the University of 糖心TV, and a centre for the HVM Catapult, WMG was founded by the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing and improve competitiveness through innovation and skills development.

• Time-consuming and resource-intensive charging processes could be replaced by wireless charging for e-scooter rental fleets

• The ease of use for consumers and a reduction in operating costs through wider adoption of this technology would be a big advantage for the UK鈥檚 biggest rental scheme operator, Voi
• Trial in partnership with Bumblebee Power and WMG on the University of 糖心TV campus allows real-world testing in a 鈥榤ini-city鈥� environment
• A successful trial will pave the way for seamless and convenient charging of e-scooters

, the UK鈥檚 largest e-scooter rental operator, has partnered with and WMG to trial the use of Bumblebee鈥檚 wireless e-scooter charging at the University of 糖心TV campus over a 6-month period potentially changing the future of the micromobility industry.

As with the charging of electric cars, the charging of e-scooters is a challenge for the operators of extensive rental schemes. The batteries powering their zero-emissions e-scooters are currently charged safely at their warehouse; however, they are replaced when vehicles are either receiving their regular in-house inspections or by the company鈥檚 in-field team who visit each e-scooter to perform fresh battery swaps.

These processes can lead to high operating costs for their business as the processes can be both time-consuming and often resource-intensive by requiring additional warehouse infrastructure for safe battery charging as well as transportation costs. Therefore, Voi began exploring new charging methodologies as a result that could provide the same excellent user experience whilst also delivering a similar vehicle efficient and effective battery performance. The potential solution: wireless charging.

In partnership with Bumblebee Power, the wireless charging pads make it possible to charge e-scooters where they are parked, reducing not only operational costs but make their integration into the street and transport infrastructure more streamlined, making the modal shift to a convenient and flexible mode of transport easier for new and existing riders.

The University of 糖心TV campus 鈥榤ini-city鈥� environment has been selected for this trial and provides an excellent, safe test bed for testing transport innovations. Available to estate staff only, a busy environment with a large population of students, staff, and industrial partners means the University of 糖心TV is an ideal 鈥榣iving lab鈥� environment to enable sustainable research and development of this technology.

The trial will provide data on the wireless system performance as well as user behaviour and interaction with the technology, which is crucial to any future large-scale deployment. If the trial proves successful it could be expanded to cover more of the Voi fleet across the UK.

David Yates, CTO of Bumblebee Power explains:
鈥淭he Bumblebee patented technology, which originated from Imperial College London, provides automatic connection via a very efficient wireless charging system, saving operational expenditure for the fleet operator by eliminating battery swaps. In addition, it makes possible the ability to extend the battery鈥檚 life, by controlling the charging regime whilst maximising vehicle availability.鈥�

Sam Pooke, Senior Policy Manager at Voi UK and Ireland, said:
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to be partnering with Bumblebee Power to develop wireless charging for our e-scooters, an innovation that could change the whole micromobility industry.

鈥淎pplying this technology has the potential to not only reduce the operational impact of how we charge batteries for our vehicles but also in making an already convenient and flexible service even more accessible for new and existing riders. Over the coming months, we鈥檒l look forward to working with our partners to maximise the innovative potential of this technology.鈥�

David Evans, Lead Engineer at WMG, University of 糖心TV, said:
鈥淲ireless charging technology for micromobility has the potential to reduce operational costs for fleet operators and provide a convenient charging solution for users. The University of 糖心TV campus is an ideal location to trial transport innovations such as these, providing a real world, mini city environment with world class teaching and research facilities.鈥�

According to recent reports, the UK needs around 800,000 more technicians and apprentices to meet the demand in the economy for the sort of practical science jobs to boost innovation and economic growth. This is why WMG, University of 糖心TV, is supporting the Gatsby Charitable Foundation鈥檚 Technicians: campaign.

Technicians are making a difference across society, doing exciting and interesting jobs in almost all industries; from making a life-saving vaccine to working behind the scenes at a music festival. It's their balance of scientific, engineering, or technological knowledge, along with skills such as attention to detail and critical thinking, that makes technicians special.

WMG employs more than 50 technicians, including Engineering Technician, Bethany Haynes and Battery Technician, Divyesh Mistry who feature as case studies on Gatsby鈥檚 new Technicians: We Make the Difference website.

You can hear more from Bethany here: and Divyesh here: as they share their experiences with the aim to inspire more young people to consider technical careers.

Bethany Haynes, Engineering Technician based in WMG, at the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 SME Team, says: 鈥淭his is such an amazing project to be a part of as it is so important for young people to be aware of the technical roles out there. I love the fact that there is a technical role that will harness and encourage the majority of skillsets, especially practical skills. I have always been a technician and genuinely love my job, yet at school I was always told I needed to go to university and have a degree to have a good job.

鈥淭echnicians: We Make the Difference shows that you can have a career with or without a degree. I鈥檓 looking forward to visiting the Science Museum next weekend and seeing all the cool things other technicians are doing.鈥�

Divyesh Mistry, Mechanical Technician based at WMG at the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Energy Innovation Centre, adds: 鈥�It was a privilege and an honour to take part in the Gatsby project. Each technician has their own skills and abilities, which allow for fundamentals of their profession to thrive. It鈥檚 great to see the technician career path be advertised, and I recommend it as a fulfilling career with lots of opportunities.鈥�

 Paul Johnson, Technical Services Manager at WMG explains: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see our technical staff involved in this crucial initiative. I say crucial because the skill shortage, that we now see across the educational and research landscape, has to be addressed now. To do that we need to engage the next generation of technicians, and those young people that we reach out to need to be inspired. Hearing from early career technical professionals, through outreach programmes such as this, can only help to galvanise the desire that young technicians have and drive them to pursue a career in science and technology.鈥�

Research by Gatsby shows that while parents are becoming more supportive of technical education routes and qualifications, such as T-Levels, many (40%) still don鈥檛 understand what a technician is. Furthermore, two thirds (66%) say their child has expressed an interest in a future career that they know very little about.

Together with Gatsby, WMG wants to help parents and young people learn more about technician careers options and routes available (many of which young people can reach via T-levels, apprenticeships and other more practical, work-based routes).

Find out more about WMG鈥檚 Technician Commitment here: Technician Commitment (warwick.ac.uk)

ENDS

For more information on Gatsby鈥檚 Technicians: We Make the Difference campaign, please contact technicians@kindredagency.com.

Sources:

路 Parents and young people survey – A survey, carried out by Censuswide, of 2,004 parents of children aged 11-16, and their children. The survey was conducted between 27th July – 1st August 2022.

路 Parents survey – A survey carried out by Censuswide of 2,000 parents of 11–18-year-olds who attend non-fee-paying schools. The survey was carried out in March 2022.

About Technicians: We Make the Difference

Technicians: We Make the Difference is a campaign by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation that aims to educate parents and young people alike on technician careers.

While some technicians work in a lab, most don't. Technicians are making a difference across society, doing exciting and interesting jobs in almost all industries.

It's their balance of scientific, engineering, or technological knowledge with skills like attention to detail and critical thinking that makes technicians special. That can be almost anything - from making a life-saving vaccine to working behind the scenes at a music festival.

And with thousands of other interesting technician roles across almost every kind of industry - there's a good chance that there will be one out there that you would enjoy.

Find about more about how technicians make a difference every day via .

As part of the AutopleX (Autonomous Cars Negotiating Complex Environments Using V2X) project consortium, researchers at WMG, University of 糖心TV, have used a connected smart roadside infrastructure and onboard vehicle systems to demonstrate how to enhance the vision and perception of future autonomous vehicles to achieve safer and more comfortable manoeuvres along high-speed junctions, such as motorway merges.

The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK have jointly funded 拢2.6m for the collaborative R&D project AutopleX between March 2019 and September 2022.

AutopleX brought together WMG and leading automotive and mobility management partners Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Yunex Traffic, as well as public bodies such as Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and National Highways.

Supported by the WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, engineers and researchers at WMG have built a proof-of-concept demonstrator, where technology within a test vehicle (also known as 鈥渢he EGO vehicle鈥�) including Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), LiDAR and cameras, was fused with infrastructure-based sensing received over a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication system. This created a more comprehensive understanding of the environment in which the vehicle was travelling.

Colin Teed, AutopleX Project Manager at Jaguar Land Rover, stressed that: 鈥淢erging at high-speed junctions will be a standard action autonomous vehicles must perform and constitutes an important step in realising the vision of connected and automated mobility.鈥�

Professor Mehrdad Dianati, Head of Intelligent Vehicles Research at WMG, added: 鈥淥nboard sensors may suffer from several limitations such as occlusions, limited range, and other forms of impairments. Especially at motorway junctions, where the speed of vehicles is usually high, undetected traffic objects by the onboard sensor suite can impose severe threats on safety. Onboard perception can, therefore, become insufficient as a standalone solution for level 4 autonomy. In this regard, the AutopleX project has developed a proof-of-concept solution that combines, in real-time, the onboard perception of a connected vehicle approaching a motorway with infrastructure-based sensing for supporting a safe merge.鈥�

The AutopleX showcase demonstration took place via a live road traffic environment at Junction 15 of the M40 in March 2022. Yunex Traffic developed the roadside perception system, including three radars and V2X communication technology, while National Highways ensured its safe installation and effective operation.

Jet Feng, Project Engineer at WMG, explained: 鈥淭he roadside perception including the locations, speed and steering angle of motorway vehicles was continuously broadcast (in the form of collective perception messages (CPMs)) and received by the vehicle鈥檚 onboard communication unit (OBU) on the Open Innovation Vehicle Platform whilst approaching the merging point of the junction. The received information was then combined with the onboard perception to improve the overall understanding of the environment and was visualised in real-time via a bird鈥檚 eye view map of the junction, allowing the passengers to observe road traffic objects along the M40, which were not otherwise visible due to occlusions.鈥�

Furthermore, WMG and Jaguar Land Rover researchers jointly developed intelligent trajectory-planning algorithms, which utilised the combined perception to design a high-speed merging manoeuvre that is efficient, smooth, and safe.

Dr Konstantinos Koufos, Senior Research Fellow at WMG, commented: 鈥淲hile the Open Innovation Vehicle Platform was driven by a human driver, the calculated trajectory, including speed and steering, of a hypothetical vehicle using the combined perception was visualised in real-time on the in-vehicle monitors. This allowed the passengers to compare the trajectory of the hypothetical (or ghost) vehicle with the actual trajectory of the human-driven vehicle. Key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with road safety and passenger comfort were also calculated and compared during the merging manoeuvre. The next major step would be to engage the calculated trajectory of the ghost vehicle with the drive-by-wire system of the Open Innovation Vehicle Platform.鈥�

The project successfully implemented and demonstrated the developed technology, collecting, annotating and processing vast datasets including over eight months of road traffic data using 10 infrastructure cameras and three RADARs. These datasets could be made available to selected organisations outside of the AutopleX consortium for user trials and feedback. In addition, it constitutes valuable R&D data that can be used in WMG鈥檚 Doctoral Training Centre in Future Mobility Technologies, as well as WMG鈥檚 MSc programme in Smart Connected and Automated Vehicles (SCAV).

Learn more about the vehicle used in the demonstration: /fac/sci/wmg/research/cav/ivfac/catapult-open-innovation-vehicle/

Explore research in WMG鈥檚 Intelligent Vehicles Group: /fac/sci/wmg/research/cav/

Innovate UK:

Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles:

WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult:

https://hvm.catapult.org.uk/centre/wmg/

A PhD student, from WMG at the University of 糖心TV, is heading to Egypt this week for .

, who is studying for a PhD in Travel Choices and Wellbeing, is heading to the climate summit as the Youth Transport Fellow for High Level Climate Champions UNFCCC, a role centred on building momentum towards an accelerated transition to zero emission vehicles.

Shravani鈥檚 work has always focused on the transport sector (which is responsible for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions), and on persuading policymakers, operators and the public of the benefits of cleaner and healthier modes of transport supported by evidence-based research and analysis.

She will be sharing her expertise at the 鈥淵outh on the move: Young people and transport in the 21st century鈥� session on 10th November and at several other events.

Shravani, who is part of WMG鈥檚 Intelligent Vehicles Research Group, explained: "In a world where we are striving to adopt more sustainable forms of transport, it is paramount that our transportation systems and policies are designed to enable modal shift and promote positive travel behaviour.

鈥淚 was not even aware that transport planning was a career! I fell into it by accident after taking a module on planning infrastructure and found it not only fascinating, but so rewarding as it impacts the real world and real life. I I grew up watching TV shows about doctors in hospital environments and law firms where the protagonists save the world, which made me want to be a doctor or lawyer coming from an aspirational cultural background. I feel there should be more movies and TV shows made to inspire the upcoming generations to showcase the importance of city and transport planners, and use the power of media for positive drum rolling.

鈥淚f our towns and cities are the hearts of the nation, contributing to most of the economic activities, then transport infrastructure is our arteries. Therefore, to ensure good health of the nation we should ensure these arteries are clear of congestion, pollution, accidents etc. 鈥�

You can register for 鈥榊outh on the move: Young people and transport in the 21st century鈥� here:

Read more about WMG鈥檚 latest sustainability news here: WMG :: News (warwick.ac.uk)

A substantial gift of 拢1.5 million from TVS Motor Company will help create a crucial new Professorial post in WMG, University of 糖心TV - the Lord Bhattacharyya Chair in Engineering Education.

The gift celebrates TVS Motor Company鈥檚 close relationship with WMG and will continue the legacy of the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, enhancing WMG鈥檚 academic expertise in the understanding, development and teaching of engineering and manufacturing internationally.

The news was announced in Mumbai yesterday (Monday, 7 November) at a reception for University of 糖心TV graduates hosted by Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University.

糖心TV has a close network of more than 5,500 alumni in India and is the most successful Russell Group university for recruiting students from India. This is Professor Croft鈥檚 first visit to the country for the purposes of encouraging support from alumni and friends for the University鈥檚 vision.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya sadly passed away on the 1 March, 2019. To celebrate his legacy in global manufacturing and innovation, the new Chair will drive forward innovations in research-led teaching and scholarship. Just as Professor Lord Bhattacharyya played a significant role in building relationships between India and the UK, the appointee will be responsible for establishing connections for UK higher education and WMG in Asia, particularly in India and Hong Kong.

This will include new ways to inspire young people from different backgrounds to pursue engineering careers through the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, and professional skills programmes delivered by the WMG Skills Centre, along with an opportunity to explore innovation in the higher education space more widely.

Sir Ratan Tata, former Chairman of Tata Sons, said he was delighted to hear about the gift.

鈥淚 deeply valued my friendship with Kumar and know the philanthropy of TVS Motor Company will continue his vison of creating innovative, engaging, and authentic learning opportunities for a diverse range of students. Strong industry links were so important for Kumar and it鈥檚 exciting that WMG is working closely in partnership with this prestigious motorcycle company.鈥�

Mr Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company and Director of Tata Sons, said: 鈥淲MG excels because it has the momentum created by Kumar. It wouldn鈥檛 have happened without him, but it continues after him. Kumar always said a true legacy was an institution that does better after your time. We are delighted to make a gift that continues this ambition.鈥�

Mr N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, said: 鈥淟ord Bhattacharyya created a world class, leading-edge capability at WMG. The new Chair in Engineering Education will be a crucial addition to their academic leadership, ensuring the next generation of engineering leaders are inspired through the highest levels of teaching. I鈥檓 thrilled the Chair will also work to enhance international connections for both WMG and the University of 糖心TV.鈥�

糖心TV alumnus Professor Sir Ralf Speth (EngD Engineering, 2004-08), Chairman of TVS Motor Company, Director of Tata Sons, and former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said:

鈥淜umar was very keen on creating top talents and innovative break-throughs. He liked curious, younger people. He believed in the powerful momentum resulting out of a special atmosphere of new technologies and curious, passionate talents.鈥�

Mr Sudarshan Venu (MSc International Technology Management, 2010-12), Managing Director of TVS Motor Company, said: 鈥淚 am grateful for having been mentored by Lord Bhattacharyya, who had a tremendous impact on me and taught me a lot about the global automotive industry. TVS has had a strong partnership with WMG covering the areas of education, research, and joint projects. We look forward to building on this in the future as well.鈥�

In 2016, WMG was awarded a Regius Professorship in Manufacturing, which was bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in recognition of the transformational contributions that Professor Lord Bhattacharyya made to UK manufacturing. The new role will complement the Regius Professorship and celebrate Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 impact on engineering and manufacturing internationally.

The Chair in Education role was initially established in 2021 thanks to a private philanthropic donation of 拢1.5 million, gifted by a 糖心TV alumnus. The additional gift from TVS Motor Company will help future-proof the post for generations to come and help the University achieve its goals for the Chair. The University intends to recruit for the role in 2023.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of 糖心TV, said: 鈥淲e are extremely grateful to TVS for making this generous gift to support WMG in enhancing and exceeding educational standards. The new role of Lord Bhattacharyya Chair in Engineering Education will continue Professor Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 legacy, and help us thrive in connecting education, research and industry, setting up our graduates for successful futures.

鈥溙切腡V has a fantastic network of alumni in India, and I鈥檓 delighted to have the opportunity to meet many of our graduates this week to explore how they can support the University鈥檚 vision for the future in the world鈥檚 largest democracy.鈥�

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, University of 糖心TV, who is visiting India this week alongside Professor Croft, said: 鈥淲e would like to thank TVS Motor Company for their generous gift. Their support will enable the new Lord Bhattacharyya Chair in Engineering Education role to preserve and expand Professor Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 pursuit of excellence in education, whilst further developing the relationships between our teaching and research.

鈥淲e anticipate that the successful appointee will further extend WMG鈥檚 teaching partnerships with industry and our international partners in Asia, enabling us to facilitate high quality and meaningful professional, international and intercultural learning opportunities that broaden the global perspectives of our students and provide the skills needed for current and future industry requirements.鈥�

ENDS

Notes to Editors

WMG, University of 糖心TV

WMG is a world leading research and education group, transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative research and development, and pioneering education programmes.

As an international role model for successful partnerships between academia and the private and public sectors, WMG develops advancements nationally and globally, in applied science, technology and engineering, to deliver real impact to economic growth, society and the environment.

WMG鈥檚 education programmes focus on lifelong learning of the brightest talent, from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate, through to professional programmes.

An academic department of the University of 糖心TV, and a centre for the HVM Catapult, WMG was founded by the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing and improve competitiveness through innovation and skills development. Taking a partnership approach with Indian collaborators, aiming to understand their requirements from both technical and skills-based perspectives, means WMG provides a holistic approach to truly benefit industry and academia. This has led to long-term, valued relationships.

WMG engages with Indian industry and academic partners across the breadth of its research, including advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing, electrification, visualisation, and metrology. Routes to collaboration include tailored industry-facing skills courses, training industry-based Master鈥檚 students, collaborative PhD studentships, and joint research projects.

Highlights from TVS relationship:

- Two-year MSc by research programme delivered to TVS staff

- Joint EngD programme

- On-site delivery of short courses on electric vehicle technology

- Research and testing programme for automotive batteries and electrification

- Over 10 years of active partnership

Highlights from TATA relationship:

- WMG hosts the Tata Steel Professor of thermo-mechanical processing, Professor Claire David, who leads our engagement with TATA Steel

- WMG Catapult has a two-year programme with TATA Steel UK around advanced forming, welding, and coatings for steels

- WMG with TATA Steel UK and Swansea University form the EPSRC-funded SUSTAIN Future Manufacturing Hub, developing advanced route to greener, more sustainable, high-performing steels

- An EPSRC Prosperity Partnership project in which fundamental research is deployed to answer business-led challenges. The partnership is developing new routes for rapid alloy processing

- The European branch of TATA Steel is a co-partner in the National Automotive Innovation Centre with WMG and JLR – the centre, based at WMG, co-locates industry and academic partners to develop the research and skills base for pioneering future mobility solutions

Wider University of 糖心TV collaborations in India include a partnership with IIT Kharagpur designed to meet challenges of importance to the UK and India.

WMG centre for High Value Manufacturing, at the University of 糖心TV, has welcomed its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Simon Webb.

Simon, who was previously Head of Zero Carbon Strategy for the (ATI), has over 20 years鈥� experience in aerospace engineering, technology and strategy leadership.

Prior to this, he was the Chief of Technology and Digital (Civil Aerospace) at Rolls-Royce, responsible for a portfolio of technology strategy and execution programmes globally.

Simon has a background in leading the development, design and manufacture of aerospace engines including the engineering teams on the world鈥檚 most efficient large aero-engine, the Trent XWB, and more recently the Rolls-Royce Titanium-Composite Fan System development activity.

He also sits on the board of directors for the , focusing on zero carbon flight technologies; and the technical advisory board of the ENABLE-H2 hydrogen research programme led by .

With his extensive industrial and technical background, Simon will help continue WMG鈥檚 work to accelerate new concepts in manufacturing into commercial reality, helping businesses tackle challenges with innovations in technologies, processes and materials.

Simon Webb comments: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to be joining WMG as Chief Technology Officer and by extension being part of the University of 糖心TV. I鈥檓 looking forward to further developing and applying the technologies and capabilities WMG has to offer into industry, and in doing so improving the sustainability of our transportation network and beyond. I expect to work closely across the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network to integrate our capabilities and so maximise the benefits to industry, the UK, and our global partners.鈥�

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult says: 鈥淲e are delighted to welcome Simon to the team. He brings with him a wealth of experience in aerospace and digital manufacturing, centred around zero carbon propulsion. Simon鈥檚 aerospace expertise broadens our depth of knowledge at WMG, and we are looking forward to learning more from him.鈥�

Professor Chris Dungey, High Value Manufacturing Catapult CTO, says: 鈥淪imon is joining the HVMC family at an exciting time. We are entering a new chapter which will see the Centres across the network working more collaboratively than ever before, and I am looking forward to working with Simon and the wider CTO team to help the Catapult deliver industrial transformation for the UK.鈥�

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres here: https://hvm.catapult.org.uk/

A student from WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, has been recognised for his hard work by the (IET).

Ezra Cunningham, who is employed by Jaguar Land Rover, has now completed the final year of his Applied Engineering Programme degree apprenticeship at WMG.

The IET Prize is awarded annually to outstanding students who are completing a course of study which has been accredited by the IET. Prize winners are nominated by their university based on having shown distinction in their course leading to the award of a first class degree.

As part of his win, Ezra will receive a certificate and two years free student membership of the IET.

Ezra Cunningham explains: 鈥淭hanks to the help of my lecturers, peers and colleagues at work, I have broadened my understanding of engineering. I鈥檓 looking forward to using this award to progress my career and target of studying an MBA in the next two years.鈥�

WMG Associate Professor and Ezra鈥檚 mentor, Dr Tara Schiller adds: 鈥淚 think it's a great achievement to come first in a cohort but to also achieve this award from the IET is well-deserved. I wish Ezra a wonderful future and look forward to following his career.鈥�

Sir Julian Young, IET President, said: 鈥淥ur IET Prizes are a terrific means for talented engineering students to be recognised for their outstanding ability in the early stages of their engineering journey. IET Membership provides early-career professionals with the valuable opportunity to connect with a global community, grow their networks and develop their technical knowledge.

鈥淭he IET is passionate about promoting engineering excellence and our awards and prizes showcase some of the finest engineering talent. All the winners should be justifiably proud of their achievements. I wish them all the best for a long, fulfilling and successful engineering career: they are all difference makers of the future!鈥�

To find out more information about the range of prizes and awards available to young and aspiring engineers through the IET, please visit:

Find out more about WMG鈥檚 Degree Apprenticeships here: Degree Apprenticeships : WMG, University of 糖心TV