Departmental news

An engineering student from WMG, at the University of Warwick has been recognised for his hard work by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The IET Manufacturing 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 degree.

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

Nathan said: “It is an honour to have been awarded this Manufacturing award from the IET and congratulations to others who have been given similar awards. This would not have been possible without the help from the many amazing staff at WMG and the School of Engineering, at the University of Warwick, and for that I thank them and hope my path crosses with them in the future."

Professor Danielle George MBE, President of the IET, said: “Our IET Prizes are a fantastic way 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 opportunity to connect with a global community, grow their networks and develop their technical knowledge.

“The IET is passionate about promoting engineering excellence and our awards and prizes showcase some of the very best engineering talent. All of the winners should be incredibly proud of their achievements. I wish them all the best for a very fulfilling and successful career – they are all difference makers of the future.”

Professor Gill Cooke, Pro-Dean (Education) at WMG, University of Warwick, added: “We are delighted to recognise Nathan’s achievements and we wish him every success in the future.”

To find out more information about the range of prizes and awards available to young and aspiring engineers through the IET, visit: www.theiet.org/awards.

Congratulations to Fatemah Jafar and Tishtrya Mehta for being announced the winners of Warwick's first student award for Public and Community Engagement.

Read more about Fatemah's and Tishtrya's contribution to Public and Community Engagement.

Congratulations to Ally Caldecote and the Christmas Lecture Team for being shortlisted for the 'Team Award' at the Warwick Awards for Public and Community Engagement 2022.

Congratulations to Matthew Nicholson who has received commendation for his teaching in the 2022 Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence. Matthew is a second year PhD student in Particle Physics, researching the use of Gadolinium in the Super-Kamiokande detector and measurements of Supernova Relic Neutrinos.

Hear more from Matthew on his teaching.

Congratulations to our three 2022 PhD Thesis Prize Winners.

Congratulations to our three 2022 thesis prize winners:

Springer Thesis Prize

Recognising outstanding PhD research - Arnau Brossa Gonzalo

Winton Thesis Prize

Recognising outstanding astrophysical research - Ben Cooke

Faculty of Science Thesis Prize (Physics)

Recognising outstanding research from across the faculty - Sam Holt

Our second year PhD students showcased their research in a poster session on the Physics concourse on Wednesday 18th May. PhD students are really the powerhouse of research in the department and it was great to hear all about the fantastic progress they are making. We awarded poster prizes to Luke Smith (1st place), Manisha Islam and John Pontin (joint runners up) for their particularly fascinating, clear and enthusiastic poster presentations. Many thanks to all who took part in the event.

WMG’s Dr Greg Gibbons has been awarded the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Senior Fellowship of SFHEA is an advanced level of professional standing that evidences expertise in teaching and learning in higher education.

Dr Gibbons said: “I am extremely pleased to have been awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). It is recognition of my understanding and use of effective approaches to teaching and learning support, and my contribution to providing high quality student learning within WMG.”

Dr Gibbons is responsible for the mentoring of student projects within the field of Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) processing of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), at undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate level.

Read more about Dr Gibbons career and expertise here: WMG :: Our People :: Profile (warwick.ac.uk

WMG’s composites manufacturing expertise, on Project TUCANA, has been recognised at the prestigious JEC World Composites Innovation Awards 2022, in Paris.

The Awards celebrate innovation in design and manufacturing within the global composites industry. Project TUCANA, led by Jaguar Land Rover in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick; Expert Tooling & Automation Limited; Broetje-Automation UK Ltd; Toray International U.K. Limited; CCP Gransden Ltd; and CFMS Limited, was announced as the winner of the Automotive and Road Transportation - Structural category.

WMG experts, led by Professor Ken Kendall, helped to develop a stiffer and lighter vehicle structure using light weight carbon fibre composite components.

The research, which took place in the Materials Engineering Centre, has developed world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions, with the view to boosting the performance of electric vehicles. Upon adoption of the design philosophy in JLR vehicles the total combined CO2 benefit of the project between 2023-2032 is projected to be 4.5 million tonnes.

Professor Ken Kendall explains:“Our research helped develop the design and manufacturing technology needed to optimise the vehicle body architecture required for electric vehicles, improving their environmental impact through reduced weight, improved rigidity and range extension.

“This project has helped develop the understanding of what is achievable through the use of mixed composite materials to improve structural performance at affordable cost for high volume manufacture. WMG were a key partner in developing and demonstrating the technologies required and transitioning this knowledge to our industrial partners. We are delighted that the project has received the recognition it deserves.”

Kanishka Arumugam, WMG MSc Engineering Business Management alumnus, has been recognised at the prestigious Global Pump Industry Awards.

Kanishka, who graduated in 2015, is Co-CEO of EKKI WATER TECHNOLOGIES in India. Kanishka and EKKI were recognised in two categories at the ceremony, in Kenilworth, organised by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) along with leading European pump industry members.

The Pump Industry Awards (PIA) is not only one of the most prestigious, but also one of the oldest and most revered in the world. The Awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and skills. EKKI is the first Indian company to be recognised in two categories.

EKKI was recognised as a key contributor for skills and training in the industry through its EKKI International Water Technology Centres (EIWTC). EIWTC is a global centre of excellence for training, research and entrepreneurship in pumps and water related technologies, partnering with leading industries, government and academic institutions globally.

Kanishka was also acknowledged as a ‘Rising Star,’ for his significant contribution in transforming the fortunes of his family business, EKKI, from making agriculture pumps to cutting-edge water technologies around the world. He is credited for setting up India’s first waste water joint venture with German Pump major HOMA which has a presence in more than 120 countries across the world.

Kanishka Arumugam said: "We at EKKI are immensely proud to be recognised internationally for our innovative initiatives within the industry. This recognition from the world’s most respected and important members of the Pump Industry, recognises the true success and potential of EKKI.

“At EKKI, we are really passionate about producing globally competitive products from India and make EKKI as one of the most respected family-owned companies from this part of the world.

“WMG at the University of Warwick, taught me the importance of applied academia, and I was very fortunate to be mentored by Professor Sujit Banerji who taught us to make global quality. Professor Banerji has recently been appointed as a Chief Advisor to EKKI and continues to mentor us, which is of immense value to both me personally and the company.”

He added: “I dedicate this recognition to my father our Group Founder Mr.Arumugam.P, members of EKKI, our partner HOMA in Germany, distributors, dealers and supply chain partners across the globe.

“I would also like to thank my alma mater, Warwick University, for fostering in me the art of applied academia in industry.”

Commenting on this prestigious European recognition, EKKI’s German partner Mr. Hans Hoffmann, CEO of HOMA said: “EKKI is seen as one among the fastest growing water tech companies in India and globally. EKKI as a company has proved to a German partner like us that they are full of potential with extraordinary quality and capable of designing and producing highly competitive products, with impressive profits.

“Kanishka Arumugam is one of the most successful young executives we have in the industry. Backed by his strong academic background from Oxford and Warwick he is an intellectually curious young leader who is ready to pause, to reflect, seize new opportunities, and create an impact in the water industry.”

Arumugam.P, Group CEO and Founder said: "EKKI serves as a role-model for all our other companies within the group. By this distinguished recognition, it has once again led the way. I could not be any prouder, because I know that no one is more capable of leading EKKI successfully into a sustainable and digital future than Kanishka.”

The recently finished Knowledge Transfer Partnership led by Professor Steven Brown from our NMR group funded by Innovate UK in partnership with AstraZeneca to improve pharmaceutical product quality and manufacturing processes has been graded as outstanding!

Read the case study.