On Thursday 27th July, WMG celebrated the success of its latest graduates.

With a total of 562 Master’s, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research students graduating, the team at WMG is very proud of everything the Class of 2023 has achieved.

There were 150 Undergraduate students, 76 of whom completed a Degree Apprenticeship, 73 studied full-time with one studying part-time.

For Postgraduate there were 383 Master’s students; 267 were full-time students, 31 part-time, and 85 studied overseas.

There was a further two MSCRs (Masters by Research), 22 PhD, and five EngD students.

Professor Gill Cooke, Director of Education, at WMG, University of Warwick said: “We are incredibly proud of our graduates. They have worked incredibly hard, and we hope they enjoy celebrating their achievements. We wish them all the best for the next stage of their careers.”

To find out more about studying at WMG visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/

Pablo Brereton Rodrigo, a School of Engineering student at the University of Warwick, has won the Logistics Research Network Undergraduate Dissertation of the Year Award 2023, from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Pablo has recently completed his degree in Engineering Business Management. This undergraduate degree, although part of the School of Engineering, is led by the education team at WMG, University of Warwick.

Pablo’s dissertation entitled “Integrating supply chains in a turbulent, complex and uncertain era” was nominated by Professor Rob Thornton, Director of Undergraduate Programmes, at WMG. Pablo will be presented with his certificate and prize money at the Logistics Research Network Conference (LRN 2023) dinner and awards ceremony on the 7th September 2023 at Herriot-Watt University.

Professor Thornton explained: “Pablo’s dissertation was nominated for this award, for both academic excellence and the challenging topics addressed, which are highly relevant to today’s turbulent supply chains.”

Pablo said: “In discussing topics such as supply chain integration, I explored the challenging and turbulent landscape in today’s business environment and applied it to modern-day supply chains to reach the conclusion that forward-looking firms will leverage supply chain integration through self-contained, cross-functional and digitalised many-to-many structures.

“Directly applying skills learned during my placement year in supply chains, this project has further developed my personal growth and competencies relevant to the field. As such, I am immensely grateful to my university tutor, Alexa Kirkaldy, and all my friends and family for the continued support throughout the project.”

Pablo’s research was supervised by Alexa Kirkaldy, Associate Professor and Director of Academic Integrity at WMG who said: “Pablo defined his project idea and objectives after a year in industry and was excited to delve into the topic of supply chain integration, reaching depth and breadth usually expected at Master’s level. In addition Pablo was a delight to supervise and I wish him well in his career within the semiconductor industry.”

Professor Georgia Kremmyda, Head of Teaching and Deputy Head of School of Engineering said: “On behalf of the School of Engineering and the Education team, I would like to warmly congratulate you for your amazing achievement. The award strongly highlights your effort, commitment and dedication to your studies. You should take time to celebrate what you have accomplished.”

Professor David Towers, Head of School at the School of Engineering added: “This is quite an achievement and definitely something to capture on your CV!”

To find out more please visit: WMG - The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick student team at Warwick Racing (WR), has unveiled its 2023 racing cars that will compete in the Formula Student competition at Silverstone just two weeks after the British Grand Prix.

The cars will be judged on speed, acceleration and endurance at the Formula Student competition – the largest student motorsport competition in the world.

With a legacy of engineering excellence and a passion for motorsport innovation, Warwick Racing is a team made up of over 100 talented and dedicated students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, who work collaboratively to design, build, and race high-performance vehicles that compete against university teams from around the world.

This year, the team have built their first electric autonomous race car, Wrai and the WRe2 – a battery electric race car. The cars were unveiled on 29th June 2023, at the National Automotive Innovation Centre.

The cars include use of cutting-edge technology, such as torque vectoring which enhances performance, while the autonomous car applies advanced software and artificial intelligence (ai) to an electric racing car to enable driverless racing.

The Formula Student competition, run by the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, serves as a launchpad for the next generation of engineers and allows participants to showcase their technical expertise, creativity, and teamwork. Warwick University's team, known for their commitment to excellence, has achieved some remarkable results in previous years including second place for business performance in 2022, and winning ‘most reliable EV’ in 2021. This year Warwick Racing are entering all three classes at the competition: Formula Student, AI, and Concept.

Team Principle and MEng Mechanical Engineering student, Prem Singh Gill said "We are incredibly proud to present the WRe2 and WRai to the world. Our team has poured their hearts and souls into this project, and we are confident that our cars will make a strong impact in the upcoming Formula Student competition at Silverstone. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the culmination of our hard work and dedication. We are incredibly grateful to the University, WMG, High-Value Manufacturing Catapult, and our main sponsor Optimas."

Student Projects Manager Dr James Meredith said: “The cars look fantastic, they represent a culmination of a huge effort from students and staff at WMG, University of Warwick and we are really proud to see them launched. We very much look forward to seeing them compete at Silverstone.”

Ends
Notes to editors
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Bron Mills, Bron.mills@warwick.ac.uk, +447824540720

About Warwick University Formula Student Team:
The Warwick University Formula Student team is an interdisciplinary group of students passionate about automotive engineering and motorsports. With a legacy of success and innovation, the team aims to design, build, and race high-performance vehicles that compete in the Formula Student competition. The team represents Warwick University on a global stage, showcasing their technical expertise and pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering.

On Friday (16th June) Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG; and Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director of Industrial Engagement at WMG, were pleased to welcome guests from the Indian Forum of Parliamentarians.

The delegation was made up of representatives from across various political parties including Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Chair of the Forum of Parliamentarians; Ms. Vandana Chavan - National Congress Party; Shri Krishna Devarayalu Lavu - Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party; Shri Sujeet Kumar - Biju Janata Dal; Shri N K Premachandran - Revolutionary Socialist Party; and Shri Brijendra Singh - Bharatiya Janata Party.

The guests were particularly keen to hear more about WMG’s research and education programmes in electrification and mobility.

They were given a tour of the real-world demo site of the track system for the Coventry Very Light Rail flagship transport project, before Professor David Greenwood led a tour of the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) the home of WMG’s battery research.

Finally the group heard more about the Warwick Moto project, where engineering students have been tasked with designing, building and racing an electric superbike.

The parliamentarians also had the opportunity to meet with Indian PhD students and researchers, studying and working at WMG.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, explained: “ It was a pleasure to welcome the group of Indian Parliamentarians. Our relationship with India is long standing, and one that we value very highly.

“One example of our commitment is the strength of our relationship with IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Kharagpur, whom in October 2022 we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further five years, having first started in 2006.

We are increasingly appreciating the breadth of opportunity India presents, both in the academic and industrial spaces. As India is our main focus internationally at present, we expect to see more visits and more projects over the coming months and years!”

The Supply Chain Logistics Management (SCLM) MSc Programme at WMG, University of Warwick, has received accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

The programme originally received accreditation in 2012. This was renewed again in 2017, and after receiving very positive feedback, from all of the panel members, this has now been recommended for a further five years.

This will allow all students, upon graduation, to be automatically approved for CILT membership, a great benefit as they begin careers in supply chain.

Gary Bilsbarrow, Senior Teaching Fellow at WMG and MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management lead for CILT accreditation, explained: “A strong relationship with the CILT as our industry’s leading professional body is key to continued recognition of our programme.

“This reaccreditation, along with strong positive feedback, recognises the potential benefits to employers of a SCLM MSc graduate and builds on the recently established academic partnership with CILT. This active partnership enhances employability and recognises the fusion of academic excellence with industrial relevance.

“Focused content is combined with the opportunity for industrial visits and industry guest speakers to provide an insight into current practice and the challenges of the future."

The MSc in Supply Chain and Logistics Management is a well-established course at WMG and has a current intake of 180 students.

Find out more about WMG’s Postgraduate Programmes here: WMG (University of Warwick) Full-time Master's (MSc) Programmes

Dyrr Ardash has been appointed as the new Director of Business Development for WMG, at the University of Warwick.

Dyrr will engage with education and research communities focusing on growing services to industry. He will lead business development across WMG, within professional education programmes and across all research areas - whether it be collaborative or industry funded opportunities. He will be engaging with a variety of customers from SMEs to large multi-nationals, within the UK and across the globe.

Dyrr is an automotive engineering graduate with more than 25 years’ experience in mobility and transportation, and a breadth of technical, commercial and strategic experience.

He started his career in powertrain development at Ford Motor Company, before joining DENSO where he developed electronic powertrain control and fuel systems for several European manufacturers. Dyrr held both Chief Engineer and senior commercial roles at Ricardo before joining WAE.

He has delivered projects globally in a variety of technical areas across products, from two-wheel mobility solutions, passenger cars, through to construction equipment and marine applications. At WAE he was responsible for strategic partnerships, collaborating closely with industry and academia, in addition to leading several de-carbonisation initiatives.

Dyrr explains: "I have long admired the impact that WMG has had on UK industry and its reach across the world. WMG capability is very relevant for the needs of today, but also the transformation of industry to one that will meet the sustainability requirements of mobility, transportation and beyond. I am very excited to be able to work with our current and potential partners to meet their sustainability goals and have a lasting impact on the world we live in.”

Professor David Greenwood, the CEO of the WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director for Industrial Engagement at WMG, University of Warwick, comments: “Dyrr joins WMG at an exciting time, as our primary research areas of electrification; sustainable materials; sustainable manufacturing; and sustainable transport are at the top of the agenda for government and much of industry.

“We look forward to broadening the impact of our research by working with an increasing number and type of businesses to deliver innovation into a wide range of market sectors.”

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

To contact Dyrr about working with WMG, please email: wmgbusiness@warwick.ac.uk

You can also connect with Dyrr on LinkedIn

Students at the WMG Academy for Young Engineers are preparing for lift-off after being named UK national champions in the European Space Agency’s CanSat competition. Having launched themselves to the top spot in the UK, WMG Academy’s Team Phoenix 2 will soon blast off to the European finals.

Inspired by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander mission, the young space explorers from Team Phoenix 2 have designed and manufactured a suborbital satellite capable of measuring and collecting temperature and air pressure data whilst looking for signs of life on a planet by sampling surface dust – all contained within the size and shape of a soft-drinks can. Launched to a height of 1,000 feet, the satellite descends, launching an integrated parachute before transmitting data back to the team at the command centre.

As part of the competition, the students, all aged between 14 and 17 years old and studying a combination of maths, science and engineering, have produced designs and prototypes, submitted testing data and launch reports, and presented to a team of experts, setting themselves apart from over 250 other entries and 12 finalists to take the title of UK national champions.

Commenting on the team’s success, WMG Academy Chief Executive, Stewart Tait, said: “Our students are clearly high-flyers with ambitions that are out of this world. We could not be more proud of Oliver, Joshua, Callum, Amneet, Timurs and George who have worked so hard to design an innovative and successful can-sized satellite.

“This year’s CanSat project was launched by Bob Hodge who has been an integral part of WMG Academy since we opened in 2014. Unfortunately, after a long illness, Bob sadly passed away just a few weeks ago and there is no better way to pay tribute to the time and energy Bob invested in the lives of our young engineers than continuing his legacy of inspiring the next generation through projects like CanSat.

"We are looking forward to taking Team Phoenix2 to the European finals to showcase the incredible engineering talent of WMG Academy students on the international stage.”

Notes to Editors:

• For media enquiries, please contact WMG Academy, Coventry, via info@wmgacademy.org.uk

• WMG Academy for Young Engineers is part of the WMG Academy Trust, consisting of two University Technical Colleges (UTC) in Coventry and Solihull. The Trust was founded by the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya and works closely with WMG at the University of Warwick.
• WMG Academy offers an innovative curriculum of STEM subjects, working with local and national employers to deliver a ‘business-like, business-led’ pathway of study to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
• Opening in 2014, WMG Academy Coventry was first-rated Good by Ofsted in 2017 and again in 2022. WMG Academy Solihull opened in 2016 and is also rated Good by Ofsted.
• WMG Academy has seen local, national and international success before in engineering projects including F1 in Schools, Greenpower, the Royal Navy UTC Challenge and the 2021 and 2022 CanSat competitions.
• The European CanSat Competition is an ESA Education project that promotes STEM skills amongst young European students through project-based learning. A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. The team’s challenge is to fit all the major subsystems of a satellite inside this minimal volume, launched by a small rocket up to an altitude of 1 km.

Social Media and External Links

• WMG Academy Website – www.wmgacademy.org.uk
• CanSat Website – https://www.esa.int/Education/CanSat
• CanSat Stem Learning - https://www.stem.org.uk/all-news/lift-off-for-winners-of-the-uk-cansat-competition-2023
• WMG Academy Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WMGAcademyCov
• Team Phoenix Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088983507094
• Team Phoenix Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/phoenix2cansat/Link opens in a new window 
• Team Phoenix Twitter – https://twitter.com/Phoenix2cansat
• TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenix2cansatLink opens in a new window
• Team Phoenix YouTube – www.youtube.com/@Phoenixcansat

Graduands from around the World and their families gathered on Saturday 1 April at University of Warwick to enjoy a truly wonderful event celebrating the first cohort of students graduating from Warwick-iheed partnership programmes.

The ceremony was presided over by the University of Warwick Vice Chancellor Stuart Croft alongside several iheed colleagues including CEO and Founder Tom O’Callaghan. The event celebrated the hard work, dedication and achievement of the students, but also created an opportunity to celebrate the success of the partnership itself - To read the full news item click here

The MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations (ITSO) course, at WMG at the University of Warwick is collaborating with the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT) to provide students with access to key industrial opportunities and benefits.

The WMG ITSO course is the first accredited Master’s programme in the UK by the IOE&IT. It is a unique interdisciplinary course that integrates the most essential and closely associated pillars of international trade, strategy, and operations management within international business towards supplying compound talents for industries. Following the philosophy of research-informed teaching for practical implementation, the course also seeks industrial access and opportunities for students.

As part of the collaborative partnership an event was held recently introducing students to a new innovative way of learning and forging direct links between students and the IOE&IT.

At the event, Ms Helen Hastie Membership Development Manager from IOE&IT shared with the students information about professional memberships and the associated access to industry specialists and activities when studying ITSO. This helped students to improve their knowledge, skills, and opportunities for career development.

Ms Helen Hastie, explained: “International Trade offers a unique opportunity for development not only at a country-to-country level, but professionally. The WMG ITSO course is actualising the career opportunities for the next generation of international traders, and the IOE&IT is delighted to continue supporting this growth.”

ITSO student course representative, Shuyu Chen commented: “It brings lots of useful information for ITSO students and this event helped us to know how to use resourses effectively during our study process. Also, the event enhanced the connection between the IOE&IT and us.”

Danara Aldabergenova, also a ITSO student representative, added: “This event was very informative for students. I learned about our accredited body and our opportunities as students. Moreover, we can become full members of The Institute of Export and International Trade. It is an excellent opportunity for us students, and I am very proud to have such a chance.”

Find out more about WMG’s International Trade, Strategy and Operations Master’s Programme here: MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations | University of Warwick

If you have an enquiry about the ITSO course, please email WMG’s Assistant Professor and ITSO Course Director, Dr Di Li:d.li@warwick.ac.uk or wmgmasters@warwick.ac.uk

The WMG Outreach team had another busy, fun-packed British Science Week, taking part in a total of seven special STEM events reaching out to more than 2,200 young scientists, teachers, and families.

Two further events had also been planned for around 400 more students, but these had to be postponed due to the snow.

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths; and is a chance to look into the future and celebrate the impact scientific ideas can make on society. In support, the Outreach Team took part in the University of Warwick’s ‘Slice of Science;’ hosted science days at local schools, while WMG’s Jianhua Yang, Tudor Dodoiu, Iyabo Adamu and Marcelle Batson-Warner took part in Robot Day Coventry.

At Slice of Science, the University welcomed over 350 people. The Outreach Team ran an area called ‘Experience Engineering’ which featured science experiments, the opportunity to write code to control a digital embroidery machine, the navigation of robotic vehicles through a maze, an interactive puzzle showing the electronics inside a car, aerodynamics experiments and more.

WMG’s Director of Outreach and Widening Participation, Professor Margaret Low, explained: “These experiences allow students to see how their school learning applies to complicated and world-changing technologies. Through our outreach programmes we hope to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM, widen participation in Higher Education and make the STEM workforce more diverse.”

WMG’s Widening Participation Co-ordinator, Dr Phil Jemmett, added: “WMG and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult have outreach activities that are designed to give students a sense of ownership, since there are always elements they can re-create or try out at home. All the experiments we use in science shows or at public events are written up on our website under WMG Experiments, and we show the audience how it all works.

“It’s never magic – this is something anyone can do if they put their mind to it. We want to show people how exciting science and engineering can be, and that anyone can be an engineer.”

Find out more about WMG’s Outreach programme here: Public engagement and Outreach (warwick.ac.uk)