WMG was honoured to welcome Dan Myers, Managing Director, Transport – UK & Ireland, XPO Logistics, as a guest speaker, on the Applied Engineering Programme (AEP).

WMG prides itself on delivering education programmes with real industry relevance making guest speakers a crucial element of the course. As MD at a leading global transportation and logistics services provider, Dan was able to share his extensive personal experiences with the students.

Dan Myers said: “It was a privilege to be given the opportunity to talk with the logistics leaders of tomorrow at WMG, University of Warwick. We discussed the dynamic changing face of our industry and its importance to the wider economy - the significance of building talented and motivated teams, the potential of technology and automation of the supply chain today and of the future.”

WMG student Kerry Giordan said: "It was interesting to hear from someone working in the business who is able to relate the theory to existing processes and improvements. From our perspective as undergraduate apprentices, it was great to hear that Dan has been in the company for 20 years having working his way up through many levels to Managing Director."

Find out more about the AEP here.

The WMG Outreach Team had a busy summer term concluding with the Experience Warwick Year 10 Summer School, which ran from 3-6 July and was supported by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

The programme was created and led by Phil Jemmett and saw a total of 42 students, aged 14 and 15 years, work on mini-engineering projects in small teams. They were supported by University of Warwick student ambassadors, research staff and Graduate Trainee Engineers from WMG.

Professor Margaret Low, Widening Participation Officer for WMG explained: “The projects were designed to introduce the youngsters to key engineering skills and to help them to recognise the importance of resilience and team work.

“The students had some fantastic ideas, including a smart city model, radio based game and remote controlled cars, which were presented to their families and teachers at a special showcase event.”

The Summer School, organised by Warwick Outreach and Widening Participation Team, gave the students a true insight into life at university: they got to stay in University of Warwick halls of residence, attend academic sessions and experience the social and sport facilities on campus.

Based on the success of the project, next summer it will be expanded into a full work experience programme in July 2020. To find out more contact wmgoutreach@warwick.ac.uk

• Professor Roy Chung co-founded TTI, a global market leader in power equipment, and has been called the “King of Power Drills”
• An alumnus and Industrial Professor at the University of Warwick, he says the institution encourages “entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative ideas – what an entrepreneur needs”
• Professor Chung says he learned a lot from WMG and founder Professor Lord Bhattacharyya – “a visionary leader” who was his “lifetime mentor”
• His advice on how to succeed: “stay focused in your area, and be innovative, creative. Think of something new.”

One of Hong Kong’s top entrepreneurs, Professor Roy Chung, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Warwick UK – his alma mater, and an institution with which he has forged many significant links throughout his career.

Crowned by the media as the ‘King of Power Drills’, Professor Chung co-founded Techtronic Industries Company Limited in 1985, a company that has become an international market leader in power equipment and owns numerous global brands.

Professor Chung is highly dedicated to the advancement of the Hong Kong industry, and was Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and is now its Honorary President. He won the Young Industrialist Award of Hong Kong in 1997, and was further awarded the Industrialist of the Year in 2014.
He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2017 and 2011 respectively. He was also appointed as Justice of Peace in 2005.
Professor Chung holds positions at universities across the world, including his role as Industrial Professor in WMG at the University of Warwick, where he also holds a Doctorate Degree of Engineering.
On becoming an Honorary Doctor of Science at the University of Warwick Summer Graduation ceremonies this week, Professor Chung commented:
“I feel very happy and very honoured to receive such a prestigious award from my alma mater, such an esteemed University.”
He talked about how Warwick encourages “entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative ideas – this is a good combination of what an entrepreneur needs.”

Professor Chung says his success is based on three factors: his sense of entrepreneurship, meeting his business partner, and “in the early 1990s I had the good chance to study the Integrated Graduate Development Scheme of WMG [University of Warwick] in Hong Kong – and that is how I came to know Professor Lord Bhattacharyya. Since then, he was my lifetime mentor.”
“With what I learned from this course, it gave me experience of how to do manufacturing better, and a global perspective.”

He has worked closely with the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, founder of WMG at the University of Warwick, on many projects through the years - including the establishment of a partnership between WMG and the Vocational Training Council in Hong Kong.
“What Professor Lord Bhattacharyya taught me was decision-making, entrepreneurship,” he reflected.
“Professor Lord Bhattacharyya was a visionary leader – I learned a lot from him. The Integrated Graduate Development Scheme was brought to Hong Kong by him, and through this programme I learned a lot, it opened my mind set. This course is very important to me.”
Professor Roy Chung is an advocate for vocational education and lifelong learning. On the importance of a quality technical education, like that offered at WMG, University of Warwick, he said:
“The concept of having work skills and academic knowledge as equally important – focusing on both of these areas – is the future. Work skills together with academic knowledge are very important, and that is what WMG is doing.
“The Integrated Graduate Development Scheme programme [launched by WMG in 1990] changed me into another person,” he continued.

Professor Chung established the Bright Future Charitable Foundation, which provides education, training and travelling opportunities for students across Hong Kong, mainland China and at the University of Warwick. He talked about what motivated him to set up the Foundation:
“I had very humble start. I was not very well educated in the beginning – I didn’t finish high school because of my family’s financial situation. Nowadays, there is a knowledge economy, so it is very important to gain knowledge […] so I really encourage young people to gain more knowledge – both academic knowledge and work skills.
“That’s why I try to sponsor some of the students who may not be doing well in academic areas but can still take up some kind of vocational training. Some people who do very well in vocational training, and I hope they can do something in academic areas – so I support them.
“That’s why I started this foundation […] I think that every young person should have a brighter future.”
Professor Dave Mullins, Interim Head of WMG at the University of Warwick, commented:
“I am thrilled to welcome Professor Roy Chung back to WMG. He is a person who embodies our founder Professor Lord Bhattacharyya’s vision of combining academic greatness with industrial innovation – and we are very proud of him.
“Professor Chung has achieved huge successes in business and industry, and he now uses his talents to help young people follow in his footsteps. His story is an inspiration to all of our students and graduates.
“I congratulate him warmly on becoming an Honorary Doctorate of Science, and look forward to our continued collaboration.”
Professor Chung shared some advice on how to succeed in life:
“Stay focused in your area, and be innovative, creative. Also, get ready for your future challenges. Studying at Warwick is to prepare yourself and get ready for those future challenges. Think of something new.”
Listen to the full podcast here.

Congratulations to all of the brilliant WMG students who graduated at the University of Warwick’s Summer Ceremony this week.

This year a total of 294 Master’s and Postgraduate Research students graduated from across WMG.

There were 266 Master’s students made up of 193 UK and overseas full-time students, and a further 73, from the part-time Master's programme.

A further 28 graduated from the Postgraduate Research programme including six EngD, 19 PhD and three Master's by Research students.

Professor David Mullins, Acting Head of WMG said: “It was a delight for us to honour the achievements of our new graduates at the degree congregation. It is a wonderful day of celebration for our students, with their family and friends, as they leave their studies to embark on the next stage of their careers.

“We wish them all the very best for their futures and the impact that each will make on their companies and communities.”

Professor Mullins added: “All of us at WMG are very proud of our alumni including Dr Roy Cheung who was also honoured at the ceremony and presented with an Honorary Doctor of Science. Dr Cheung also gave a stirring speech to our graduates on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The Warwick Submarine team which consists of six 4^th year engineering students, have won the ‘Smooth Operator’ award for their human powered submarine, at the International Submarine Races (ISR-15) in Maryland, USA.

The Warwick Submarine team have entered the international competition six times since 2013, which this year was held in Maryland in the US, and won the award for ‘Smooth Operator’.

The six 4^th year engineering students Helen Boyle, Sarah Kemp, Rebecca Seal, Ash Leonard, Giles Collee and Lewis Robbins had to design and build a human powered submarine and race it in an underwater course against other top science and marine engineering students from across the world.

In the racing, Godiva was able to achieve a speed of 2.88 knots – the best yet for the Warwick team and possibly a UK record.  Godiva remains the UK champions in this competition.

The team had access to cutting-edge engineering research from WMG and the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick as well as help from their sponsorship partners, which include Babcock, Stratasys and 3M.

Nigel Denton from WMG (a Nationally-Qualified Diving Instructor) enabled the students on the team to become qualified divers. This is a requirement of all participants in the competition; notably, the pilot of the submarine breaths from on-board scuba equipment.

The pilot lies prone in the submarine and propels the submarine by pedalling.  Derived from a bicycle, the pedal power transfers through a bevel-gearbox powertrain connected to the contra-rotating propellers.  To steer the submarine, the pilot manipulates levers, which control dive-planes for pitch (up and down) and yaw (left and right).

To ensure the safety of the pilot, an emergency buoy is released to the surface if the pilot lets go of the spring-loaded ‘dead man's switch’.  A light attached to the hull helps the support team locate the submarine in low light conditions.  These measures alert the US Navy divers who provide close support.

The ‘Smooth Operator’ award recognises the team that was best organised in terms of race preparation, efficiency of operation (including on-the-startline pilot ‘lock-and-load’ drill), problem solving, effecting running repairs and overall reliability. It is a huge accolade for the Godiva team to have won this against very significant competition, notably from the Omer team (from the École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal) and Delft’s WASUB team.

Ian Tuersley, from WMG, who has been the Project Director on the Warwick Submarine project for the past seven years said:

“Once again the Warwick Submarine ‘Godiva’ team have achieved an excellent result at the International Submarine Races. The ‘Smooth Operator’ award is testament to the hard work that the team have put in all year, not just to the engineering aspects of the project but also to such necessities as gathering the support of sponsors and the logistics of simply attending the competition with a viable racing submarine. In this project they have received support and advice from many people but the end result places us in a strong position for future development. I am immensely proud of all that they have achieved”.

Rebecca Seal, University of Warwick engineering student from the Godiva Warwick Submarine Team explains:

“Getting involved with ISR has helped translate theoretical knowledge of engineering to more practical and hands on skills.  This sort of experience is exactly what I need to help pursue a career as a professional engineer.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

High-res images and videos are available.

Full list of sponsors include:

The principal external/industry sponsors:

· Babcock

· Stratasys

· 3M

 Others who have provided very welcome support or advice are:

· Diab,

· GRM Consulting,

· Stoney Cove Diving Centre

· ELG Carbon Fibre

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

WMG at the University of Warwick has launched an exciting new fusion science degree, accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science as part of Health Education England, and is designed specifically to train people for a brand new, and first of its kind health role within the NHS - Digital Healthcare Scientist.

The BSc degree, which has been developed in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, will be open as both a full-time undergraduate course, and a Degree Apprenticeship.

Graduating students will be eligible to apply for membership of the Academy for Healthcare Sciences under the new heading of Digital Healthcare Science. This represents the formation of a new healthcare professional and a new branch within the Academy, the first for many years.

The course has been designed with the aim of augmenting the existing workforce in the NHS and breaking down silos, adopting a fusion science approach: taking into consideration aspects of digital science, academic and professional development, clinical decision making, physiological science and behavioural science. Students will learn in an integrated way, applying knowledge, and ensuring that no subject is taught in isolation from any other.

Four fusion sciences: Behavioural Science, Healthcare and Physiological Sciences, Digital Healthcare, and Shared Clinical Decision-making, will be interwoven throughout the programme giving students a breadth of scientific training.

Professor Ed Peile, from the University of Warwick comments:

“Rarely do patients and health service users have a single problem. They have multiple, often complex, problems affecting their health and wellbeing. Thus, the help they need is not confined to a single discipline. They need broad, holistic, scientific professionalism.

“The ‘Fusion Science’ approach developed here is specifically designed to ensure that the new Digital Healthcare Science workforce can meet these needs”.

Tim Jones, Executive Director of Workforce & Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust comments:

“This is an exciting new degree which will help us train people for a significant new role in the NHS. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust is also offering six full-time undergraduate students the opportunity for a paid summer vacation placement at the end of the first year of study.”

Berne Ferry, Head of the National School of Healthcare Science, adds:

“The National School of Healthcare Science has been closely involved in initiatives to develop a health workforce fit for the digital future. This includes the use of digital technologies and computer science in all areas of healthcare from artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to patient-focused apps and devices. We are delighted to see universities such as Warwick working quickly and responsively with the health service to develop exciting new programmes to meet these needs.”

The programme would suit students who are interested in medical and healthcare sciences, life sciences, data sciences or psychology. For more information on where to apply please call +44 (0) 2476 525724

ENDS

11 JUNE 2019

NOTES TO EDITORS

The programme would suit students who are interested in medical and healthcare sciences, life sciences, data sciences or psychology. For more information on where to apply please call +44 (0) 2476 525724

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Work is on track for our new WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre, at the University of Warwick, to equip young engineers with the high-level skills businesses need in the future.

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre was awarded £10 million funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

The steel frames for the Centre are now in place in the first phase of creating the complex, which is scheduled to open in September this year.

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre, at the University of Warwick, will provide apprentices with the opportunity to study on degree programmes to develop the skills needed by advanced engineering and manufacturing companies.

The Centre will run training programmes up to Master’s Degree level initially for 1,000 students, who will complete their studies at the University campus in conjunction with their employment at companies throughout Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Centre will feature flexible teaching and lab space, and an environment for technology-enhanced learning as well as provide advice and support to apprentices and organisations.

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre is the first stage of a future Degree Apprenticeship complex at the campus to train students in a range of Degree Apprenticeships.

Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “We’re committed to boosting economic growth across the Midlands Engine and whole of the UK and building a Britain fit for the future.

“The Government’s £10 million investment in the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre will give young people the cutting-edge engineering skills they need to secure high-value jobs and ensure advanced manufacturing companies have the qualified staff required to grow their business and competitiveness.This will help drive up the productivity of businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire and make a valuable contribution to delivering the Government’s Industrial Strategy.”

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, Chairman of WMG, said: “The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre will provide the opportunity for apprentices to study whilst supporting our manufacturing base by learning the skills necessary for the UK to stay competitive.”

Jonathan Browning, chair of the CWLEP, said: “It is great to see the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre taking shape since this will be a valuable resource to train students with the skills which employers need to drive their businesses forward.

“The Local Growth Fund was established by the Government to give LEPs the opportunity to fund projects which will boost the economy, support businesses and create jobs.

“It is vital we equip apprentices with high-level skills and this centre will bring huge benefits to the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector in the area.”

Caption: From the left, Professor Steve Maggs (WMG, University of Warwick), Gemma Gathercole (CWLEP) and Marion Plant (CWLEP) at the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre

NOTES TO EDITORS

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

• There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England
• The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.
• LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.

Midlands Engine

Some Midlands Engine key facts:

• The government is committed to making the Midlands an Engine for Growth in the UK, increasing economic growth and improving the quality of life for everyone. The Midlands is home to over 10 million people and over 780,000 businesses. Its economy is worth £217.7 billion.

• So far the government has awarded £1.9 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Midlands.

WMG, University of Warwick

WMG is a world leading research and education group and an academic department of the University of Warwick, established by Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 in order to reinvigorate UK manufacturing through the application of cutting edge research and effective knowledge transfer.

WMG has pioneered an international model for working with industry, commerce and public sectors and holds a unique position between academia and industry. The Group’s strength is to provide companies with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge by understanding a company’s strategy and working in partnership with them to create, through multidisciplinary research, ground-breaking products, processes and services.

Every year WMG provides education and training to schoolchildren through to senior executives. There is a growing part-time undergraduate programme for apprentices, as well as full-time undergraduates. The postgraduate programmes have over 2,000 students, in the UK and through centres in China, India, Thailand, South Africa and Malaysia.

WMG Academy Coventry has been ranked as the top sixth form in Coventry, according to official school performance tables published this week.

The academy's sixth form is number one out of 26 in the city, ahead of all state-funded and independent schools.

WMG Academy Coventry boasts the only sixth form in the city to be classed as 'well above average' in the Government's main sixth form measurement, Progress Score.

It is also the top non-fee paying sixth form for percentage of students achieving at least AAB at
A-level.

WMG Academy Coventry Principal Mr Matt Brady said: "We are thrilled to be recognised as number one in Coventry. It is testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff and students."

WMG Academy Coventry achieved a 100% pass rate at A-level and BTEC in 2018.

The academy in Mitchell Avenue opened in 2014 and is now the number one University Technical College in the UK for students moving on to higher and degree apprenticeships, with companies paying students' university tuition fees and a salary.

It is rated 'Good' by Ofsted across all categories and is partnered with the University of Warwick and businesses including Aston Martin, Bosch, National Grid, Severn Trent, Rolls-Royce, Meggitt, WMG and Jaguar Land Rover.

The closing date for sixth form applications for September 2019 entry is 31st January. Apply here

ENDS

For more information email c.lewis@wmgacademy.org.uk or call Calista Lewis on 024 7642 6896.

Notes to editors

WMG Academies offer world class education for students aged 14-19 who want to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and maths. With the support of sponsoring companies, this approach prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century in companies, further education or at university.

Employer Partners for WMG Academy for Young Engineers include:

Aston Martin, Automotive Insulations, Bosch, Cummins, Dassault Systemes, DCS Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Meggitt, National Grid, Oleo, Prodrive, Ricardo, Sarginsons, Savery Hydraulics, SCC, Squires Gears, Sure Track, Tata Motors, University of Warwick , Vinci Energies, WMG.

WMG Academy for Young Engineers is currently accepting applications for students to start in September 2019.

WMG, at the University of Warwick, has launched a new Master’s programme with Royal Mail Group which is designed to develop leadership talent in technology based industries. A wide range of Royal Mail Group staff, from all levels of management, are the first participants in this new programme.

Twenty five Royal Mail Group staff enrolled with WMG in September 2018 in a three year development programme which will enable the participants to gain a Leadership and Management focussed MSc from the University of Warwick. The programme is aligned to the Level 7 Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship standard.

The three-year part-time programme combines workplace learning with block release study at WMG in eight one-week study modules, each followed by a work-based assignment plus a work-based project. The programme is made up of core and elective modules, giving participants the opportunity to develop specialisations of particular relevance to their current role and future career aspirations. It will lead to a University of Warwick MSc and a Degree Apprenticeship.

The first cohort for our new Project Professionals Programme joined us this week at WMG. Accredited by the Association of Project Management, the two week course provides the key tools and frameworks needed for successful Project, Programme and Portfolio management.

Participants are fully prepared for their APM Project Professional Qualification exam, and upon successfully completing the course will also gain a Postgraduate Award in P3M that recognises their professional capabilities.

Jayne Redfern, Associate Professor and course leader said:

The course is the first of its kind to be offered by any University, and is being supported by the Association for Project Management who recognise our expertise in this area.”

You can find out more about the programme here