Spearheading research and training

Citation

(2005), "Spearheading research and training", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777aaf.016

Spearheading research and training

Spearheading research and training

Keywords: Engineering, Research and development, Training

The Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC), a unique £60 million collaboration between industry, academia and regional authority, was recently opened by The UK's Minister for Science and Technology, Lord Sainsbury of Turville at Loughborough University.

The SEIC, developed in partnership between BAE Systems, Loughborough University and the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), is spearheading research and training in aspects associated with the development, delivery and maintenance of systems – i.e. products or services – which are characterised by integration, complexity, novelty or risk. It also aims to provide innovative British businesses with a competitive advantage by improving their systems engineering skills.

For the first time industry researchers and engineers are co-locating to be with their academic peers from Loughborough University. The scale is unprecedented in terms of the numbers involved and the timescale of the commitment to systems engineering which combines disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and manufacturing engineering. It is anticipated that firms throughout the UK involved in industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, food and drink processing, medical technologies and clothing and textiles will benefit from the training and expertise this systems engineering centre will offer.

As is being acknowledged by many companies, systems engineering is at the core of future products and the skill itself is becoming the future face of engineering. More than 1,000 BAE Systems engineers will be trained at the SEIC by end of 2005, offering a key role in supplying future requirements for systems engineers.

A recent DfES report predicted the demand for engineering professionals in the UK by the year 2010 to be in the order of 270,000. This translates to an annual requirement in excess of 45,000 engineers across the UK and all its regions.

Speaking at the launch Lord Sainsbury said, “Innovation – turning new technologies and ideas into commercially successful products – is the key to business success”. Partnership working between academia and industry is vital if we are to capitalise on our world- class science and technology base and “pull through” knowledge from the lab to the business bottom line.

“This new Systems Engineering Innovation Centre is an excellent example of partnership working to further our knowledge of systems engineering and exploit this for commercial gain”.

Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group, speaking at the opening said, “I find it extremely encouraging and wholeheartedly support the commitment that this partnership between industry, academia and government is making to further strengthen the UK's systems engineering skills base. Certainly within the McLaren Group, systems engineering is a fundamental discipline. The investment in this new facility in Loughborough will go a long way towards ensuring that the UK maintains its track record of providing the world's leading systems engineers”.

The SEIC, housed at the University's Holywell Park facilities, will offer access to the state-of-the art research facilities, synthetic environment laboratories, virtual engineering capabilities, office accommodation, conference facilities, a lecture theatre, exhibition area and a highly integrated communications infrastructure. These facilities will enable the SEIC to spearhead research and training and develop into the national resource for systems engineering in the UK. The Centre aims to attract top research scientists and engineers from both academia and industry who are keen to work together on the latest innovations in products, processes and services. Prospective partners include DSTL and Rolls- Royce.

Mike Rouse, Group Marketing Director of BAE Systems said, “We are proud to be a major initiator of the SEIC. This will benefit not only our company in providing us with the highly skilled people we need to improve our competitiveness in the marketplace, it will also provide a huge boost to other technologically advanced firms across the region”.

Ian Harrison, Head of Economic Development at EMDA, said: “Innovative companies grow faster, are more profitable and sustain a higher level of performance. The SEIC will help existing companies exploit new ideas, attract new businesses from outside the region and hopefully help us achieve our aim to be amongst Europe's top 20 regions by 2010”.

Helvetica-Professor Sir David Wallace, Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University, said, “Loughborough University and BAE Systems have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship, which a decade ago resulted in the first of our four Queen's Anniversary Prizes. The SEIC takes this relationship to a new level, and is an exemplar of business- university links for the 21st century”.