91福利

A student from WMG, at the 91福利, 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.

鈥淭丑别 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, 91福利

Dr Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Verification and Validation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) at WMG at the 91福利, is working on a series of workshops to define a universal framework for autonomous vehicle safety that can apply to any mode of transport.

Dr Khastgir鈥檚 workshops, in partnership with the Department for Transport and Lloyds Register, focus on identifying the differences and similarities in safety scenarios faced by different sectors to create a cohesive safety framework.

Watch and read the report: to find out more.

• The funding will be used to launch a new programme called the 91福利 Electrification Deployment (WELD)
• WELD will be contributed to by WMG's Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) Group and the School of Engineering's Power Electronics group
• These two world class research groups will use 91福利鈥檚 unique facilities, as well as the university鈥檚 manufacturing and testing capability to help in the new education programme
• WELD is one of the winners of the 鈥楧riving the Electric Revolution: Building Talent for the Future 2鈥� competition, run by Innovate UK
• The new initiative will include industry workshops, outreach activity in school and increased teaching provision within PEMD

New content in power electronics, eMachines and drives will also be created at the University to use current expertise to both up-skill the existing workforce and support the pipeline of talent for future generations.

Finally, WELD will also focus on the design of IP-free eMachines, with parts manufacture, assembly and testing on campus to allow for hands-on learning.

As both transport and industrial equipment pivots from combustion technology to electrical power, skills for the design, manufacture and maintenance of electric drivetrains are increasingly in demand.

WELD will benefit from the two 鈥楧riving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation鈥� (DER-IC) facilities at the university: the Winding Centre of Excellence and the power electronics reliability and failure analysis space, both launching in Autumn 2022. The trained workforce will help UK businesses to develop and scale new PEMD technologies and manufacturing processes.

Dr Juliette Soulard, Associate Professor Electric Machines at WMG says: 鈥淭hrough our close collaboration with UK industry, we witness the huge difficulties faced when trying to recruit people with the right skills for PEMD research and development projects.

鈥淭丑别 expertise exists in the UK, but the knowledge and skills transfer needs dedicated and urgent actions which normal higher education courses cannot deliver. WELD鈥檚 industry workshops with unique, hands-on learning about manufacturing and device testing aims to address this issue.鈥�

Prof. Peter Gammon, Professor of Power Electronic Devices, Head of Research and Deputy Head of the School of Engineering says: 鈥淲e are extremely proud to be leading the WELD project, which will help meet a national and international PEMD skills shortage.

鈥淥ur activities will also help increase the flow of engineering graduates into the industry via new PEMD and Automotive Electrification MScs, while an extensive outreach programme will help educate and inspire the next generation of engineers.鈥�

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Useful Links:

91福利 Manufacturing Group

91福利 Engineering School

WMG, 91福利

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 is one of the founding partners of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and leads HVM Catapult activities on Transport Electrification and Connected and Autonomous Mobility. The Catapult network鈥檚 mission is to leverage research and educational expertise to de-risk innovation for UK manufacturing, to improve business resilience, productivity, competitiveness and sustainability.

School of Engineering, 91福利

The School of Engineering benefits from its multidisciplinary approach, with research covering a broad range of topics. Key themes of Energy, Biomedical Engineering, and Future Cities, Materials and Manufacturing, and Technology and Society provide a framework to the research efforts, which are underpinned by four discipline streams and fourteen research groups. The School employs some of the leading engineers in their field, who regularly publish papers in top ranking journals. There are currently over 150 students undertaking postgraduate research degrees and 55 65 research post-doctorate staff.

DER-IC

DER-IC (Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centres) is building a globally recognised, sustainable UK-wide network with the relevant skills and capabilities to deliver the PEMD (power electronics, machines, and drives) necessary for a net zero future in all relevant applications. The network of DER-IC is instrumental in the UK鈥檚 progress towards its 2050 net zero target and a world leading response to the realisation of the industrial technology (IDT) revolution.

DER-IC is funded by UK Research and Innovation and was set up in 2020 as part of the Driving the Electric Revolution challenge.

DER-IC provides open access facilities to over 拢300 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment, bringing together the UK鈥檚 technology and manufacturing expertise in electrification research and development.

搂 DER-IC is creating cost-effective, UK-based technologies and solutions, with export market opportunities, to help address and support climate change

搂 DER-IC is educating about the art of what鈥檚 possible for governments, industry, academia, and schools

搂 DER-IC is an industry led project which has so far engaged with 400 industrial organisations, as well as having 30+ academic institutions and RTO鈥檚 in its network

It was a pleasure to welcome guests from the to WMG at the 91福利 on Wednesday 12th October 2022.

UTeM Chancellor cum Melaka State Governor, His Excellency Tun Seri Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam; UTeM鈥檚 Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Massila Kamalrudin; and UTeM鈥檚 Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Dr Ghazali Omar; were met by Dean of WMG Professor Robin Clark, 91福利 Provost, Professor Christine Ennew; and WMG鈥檚 Director of Client and Business Development (East Asia) Dr Kogi Balakrishnan,

His Excellency was particularly interested to hear more about WMG鈥檚 research addressing net zero including energy innovation, very light rail, smart cities and the future of engineering.

The guests were then given a guided tour of WMG鈥檚 world class battery research facilities in the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), before being given a demonstration of the 3xD Simulator in the International Manufacturing Centre, the world's first immersive, simulated environment for smart and connected vehicles.

Finally, the delegation was taken to WMG鈥檚 Centre for Imaging, Metrology and Additive Technologies (CiMAT) where the group learnt more about scanning technologies for the 3D characterisation and validation of complex internal and external architectures, including high resolution laser scanning, micro-CT and advanced 3D visualisation.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG at the 91福利 said: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to welcome our guests from UTeM and to share the work we are doing here at WMG. What became apparent at the outset was the synergy between the two institutions with respect to the applied way in which we both view our work, whether education or research. I look forward to further discussions and I hope some form of future collaboration.鈥�

His Excellency Tun Seri Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam said: 鈥淚n line with UTeM鈥檚 vision and mission, it is hoping that WMG and UTeM can start fostering collaborations in research and training. WMG鈥檚 broad experience and innovation output may lead UTeM to become the leading innovative and creative technical university in the region. Gratitude to WMG for the warm welcome and hospitality during UTeM鈥檚 visit to WMG.鈥�

UTeM was established in December 2000, and boasts strengths in technical fields – namely Engineering, IT, and Management Technology. UTeM has cemented a reputation of being a source of high-quality engineering graduates with the capability of meeting the requirements of high-tech industries.

Find out more about UTeM .

Five of WMG, at the 91福利, Master鈥檚 courses have been recognised in the .

WMG鈥檚 Master鈥檚 courses in e-Business Management; Supply Chain and Logistics Management; Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Engineering Business Management retained their 2021 positions, as best in class in the UK, in their respective categories.

 In 2022, they have been joined by WMG鈥檚 Cyber Security Management Master鈥檚 programme, which ranks 1st in the UK in the newly established Cybersecurity, Systems Security and Data Protection category.

 路 MSc Cyber Security Management - Number 1 in the UK and Number 2 globally in the Top 25 Master's for Cybersecurity, Systems Security and Data Protection.

 路 MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Number 1 in the UK and Number 25 globally for Entrepreneurship.

 路 MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management - Number 1 in the UK and Number 29 globally for Supply Chain and Logistics

 路 MSc Engineering Business Management - Number 1 in the UK and Number 3 in Western Europe for Industrial and Operations Management

 路 MSc e-Business Management - Number 1 in the UK and Number 5 in Western Europe for e-Business

Dr Harjinder Lallie, Discipline Group Lead for Cyber Security at WMG, at the 91福利, said: 鈥淚t is wonderful that the MSc Cyber Security Management degree continues to receive recognition both nationally and globally. The course has an international reputation for excellent teaching, hands on practical experiences and superb post-study employment opportunities.鈥�

Professor Dan Nunan, Associate Dean (Postgraduate) at WMG at the 91福利, added: 鈥淚 am delighted that our specialist Master鈥檚 courses in applied engineering, management and technology continue to be globally recognised as a leading choice for students seeking to develop their careers. In every category where WMG courses are ranked they are rated #1 in the UK, and amongst the top in the world.鈥�

Eduniversal Group is a global leader in higher education information, providing students worldwide with the tools to find the best education opportunities. Eduniversal publishes annual rankings of the best Master's programmes in 50 fields of study, covering 154 different countries within nine geographic zones. The ranked programmes come from more than 1,800 universities and schools.

WMG offers twelve Master鈥檚 courses across management, engineering, technology and innovation, all designed to meet the needs of global industry. Find out more here: WMG (91福利) Full-time Master's (MSc) Programmes

It was an honour to welcome representatives from the (IIT) Kharagpur to WMG at the 91福利.

The guests were met by Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG; Margot James, Executive Chair; Professor David Greenwood, Director for Industrial Engagement and Professor Mark Williams, Chair of the International Strategy Group (ISG). The group was then taken on a guided tour of WMG鈥檚 world class research and education facilities in the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Building, the International Manufacturing Centre (IMC) and the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).

Guests from the IIT included Professor Virendra Kumar Tewari; Debashish Chakravarty, Professor of Mining Engineering and Associate Dean Alumni Affairs; and Surjya Kanta Pal, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chair of the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

After the tour, Professor Robin Clark and Professor Virendra Kumar Tewari signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further 5 years.

WMG has had a close relationship for many years with the IIT, particularly with IIT Kharagpur and signed the first MoU education and research partnership in 2008.

Following the success of the partnership through the internship and PhD scholarship programme, the two organisations will now continue to work together on research and explore opportunities for a joint PhD programme and joint academic programmes for industry professionals and academic staff in the field of automation, manufacturing, and Industry 4.0. The relationship will also facilitate the exchange of staff between the two institutions and develop a joint PhD programme.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG at the 91福利 said: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from IIT Kharagpur, to hear about their work and to share what we are currently engaged in at WMG. Our relationship is long standing, one that we value highly and one that we are excited about developing with new ideas alongside our established successes.鈥�

Professor Mark Williams, Leader of the Centre for Imaging, Metrology, and Additive Technology (CiMAT) said: 鈥淭丑别 extension of this important partnership clearly demonstrates our commitment to a close working relationship with India and builds on the international presence of WMG and The 91福利.鈥�

Professor Virendra K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to visit the 91福利. A warm welcome was extended by our counterparts which gave us many memoirs to cherish. We look forward to further great associations and collaborations with WMG in terms of innovative ideations on academic frontiers and explore other opportunities of research and development. These understandings will enhance the scope of technological advancements for both the institutions and carve a way for better successes.鈥�

Visit the 鈥�Overseas Teaching Centres鈥� webpage for more information about WMG鈥檚 collaborations with international institutions.

• Real-world urban highway demo site of innovative rail track system for Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) unveiled on 91福利 campus
• Testing facility will allow simulation of various scenarios, enabling active engagement with key stakeholders including utility companies and city transport planners
• WMG and engineers have capitalised on advanced material and manufacturing processes developed over recent years

The Coventry Very Light Rail Project (CVLR) has taken a major step forward, as and WMG, at the 91福利, launch a real-world demo site for its light rail track system. 

The site, based at WMG, 91福利, gives stakeholders a snapshot of what鈥檚 to come in Coventry, when the first phase of the city route commences. 

Using advanced material and manufacturing processes, researchers and engineers at WMG have worked alongside track-design experts at 鈥痶o create, design and build the demo site including the unique track system, which is not only more affordable to install but also enables rapid installation - minimising disruption to local properties and businesses. 

The track form, designed to sit within the top 30cm of existing highway surfaces, is easy to install and can be removed rapidly; significantly reducing clashes with utilities and potentially saving millions of pounds otherwise spent on excavation and moving gas, electrical and telecommunication systems when installing more traditional track forms. With installation costed at approximately 拢10m per km, the track is significantly cheaper compared to current tram tracks which can cost upwards of 拢25m per km, and significantly more in city centre locations. 

The new track has been developed in parallel to a zero-emission, battery-powered lightweight shuttle vehicle created in partnership with TDi. The vision of Coventry Very Light Rail is that as technology matures it will鈥痓ecome autonomous and work similarly to the London Underground system, where service is frequent and passengers can hop on and off. 

The vehicle itself is lightweight, and there will be no overhead power supply along the route, significantly reducing infrastructure costs, complexity and visual impact on the city-scape. 

Councillor Jim O鈥橞oyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: 鈥�This new track test site is a key part of our work to demonstrate the viability of the breakthrough technology in this track. In a world first, we鈥檙e aiming to keep pipes and cables in the ground, lowering installation costs and making Coventry Very Light Rail possible in our city and across the country. 

鈥淐oventry Very Light Rail will form the backbone of our future transport network, but we鈥檙e investing in many projects to make our city鈥檚 transport cleaner, greener and more convenient for residents. Coventry Very Light Rail will fit seamlessly with our plans to be the UK's first all-electric bus city and our plans to continue to provide more on-street electric charge points than anywhere outside London.鈥�

Following installation at the 91福利, Coventry City Council will install test track at its Whitley Depot waste facility to test it with heavy goods vehicles, and also at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, where vehicle testing is currently taking place. The installation will form part of the facility鈥檚 15m radius loop, built to test the prototype vehicle鈥檚 cornering system and will enable full system integration testing to be undertaken.

Dr Christopher Micallef, Principal Engineer at WMG, 91福利 comments: 鈥淭丑别 91福利 urban track demonstration site provides an ideal scenario to prove-out the installation methods of the novel track system. The site will enable various competing sub-systems such as the encapsulation and pavement systems to be trialled to further explore the advantages and challenges.

鈥淭丑别 site includes features such as water drainage gullies, buried utilities and a sewage access chamber to ensure that solutions to these real-world complexities can be explored. After the first phase, which is all about the track installation process, the site will be further utilised to allow various scenarios to be simulated and enable active engagement with key stakeholders such as utility companies, materials and subsystems supply chain and city transport planners. Eventually it could provide a facility to train the next generation of track installation teams.鈥� 

, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 鈥淭his very light rail project is a fantastic demonstration of collaboration across our region – whether it鈥檚 the development at Dudley, this new test track at 91福利 University or soon enough the first route in Coventry city centre.

鈥淭丑别 is investing 拢71.5m into very light rail. Designing and building a light rail service rapidly and at a fraction of the cost of regular Metro lines has the potential to transform our public transport network. It is also a great example of cutting edge innovation that can help us to meet our #WM2041 net zero commitment and tackle the climate emergency. Our region is ideally placed to become the home of the green industrial revolution.鈥�

Coventry Very Light rail is being led by Coventry City Council and has received funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority, the and Coventry City Council. 

-ENDS- 

• University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce win Bhattacharyya Award 2022 for their work on Advanced Metallic Alloys
• Award-winning partnership recognised for advancing sustainable aviation for the future

and WMG, at the 91福利, have announced the University of Birmingham鈥檚 partnership with Rolls-Royce on Advanced Metallic Alloys as the winner of the Bhattacharyya Award for 2022. The Award, which carries a 拢25,000 prize, has been presented in recognition of an exemplary academia-industry partnership that has helped to lead the UK鈥檚 work on creating safe, efficient, and sustainable aeroengines for the future.

The Bhattacharyya Award is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and was created to encourage more private and academic entities to collaborate, as a tribute to the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya KT CBE FREng FRS, Regius Professor of Manufacturing at the 91福利 and founder of WMG.

Dating back to 1989, the University of Birmingham-Rolls-Royce collaboration has enabled transformative advances in engine efficiencies - directly addressing environmental concerns, while also saving billions of pounds over 30 years of large fleet activity. Their partnership is at the heart of activities to develop and deliver the new engine technologies required to achieve or improve upon the ACARE Flightpath 2050 targets of 75% reduction in CO2 emissions and 90% reduction in NOx.

This industry-academia collaboration has seen extensive, continuous research into processes that are critical for maintaining a competitive and safe aerospace industry and cementing the UK as a leader in aeroengine architectures. These processes have included the enhancement of titanium and nickel disc alloys, development of new titanium aluminide alloys and single crystal turbine blade alloys for jet engines – all using advanced process and materials modelling.

Additionally, the partnership鈥檚 established High Temperature Research Centre is ideally placed for developing future aerospace technologies, including solutions for electrification of flight, hydrogen-powered aeroengines and use of alternative, sustainable aviation fuel.

Together, the University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce partnership has significantly advanced metallurgy in the UK, built new infrastructure and promoted relationships between UK universities for over three decades. The partnership has also focused on developing future talent, having trained over 100 doctoral students in Birmingham who have joined Rolls-Royce as materials and manufacturing specialists.

Paul Bowen FREng, Feeney Professor of Metallurgy/Deputy-Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Industrial Partners) and Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre Director at the University of Birmingham, said: 鈥淥ur team is immensely proud to win this award on behalf of two generations of researchers in our partnership. They have produced safe, efficient aero-engines and have delivered new technologies, new buildings and developed careers. Winning this award is a testimony to the unrivalled support that Rolls-Royce have provided to universities in support of the metallurgical base of the UK.鈥�

Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, past-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and chair of the judging panel for the Bhattacharyya Award, said: 鈥淭丑别 University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce鈥檚 partnership has contributed immensely to the UK鈥檚 aerospace industry. Together, they鈥檝e embodied the spirit of the Bhattacharyya Award by promoting wider collaboration between industry and universities, and in developing the UK鈥檚 future talent.鈥�

Margot James, Executive Chair at WMG, 91福利, said: 鈥淭his partnership is a well-deserving winner and demonstrates the power of industry-academia collaboration to address a challenge as timely and as globally significant as sustainable aviation. We hope that this award celebrating Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 legacy continues to inspire future academics and industry partners to drive further co-operation, creativity, and innovation in the UK.

WMG鈥檚 SME group have been awarded as manufacturing innovation champions for their work with Midlands manufacturers at an awards ceremony held in Birmingham by membership group –

They were celebrated for the delivery of the DI4M (Digital Innovation for Manufacturing programme), a four-year project funded by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) to aid SME manufacturers adopt digital technology for increased productivity and profitability.

Over 300 businesses have already benefited from one-to-one project support from WMG experts to implement automation, new information systems, and digital manufacturing techniques with transformative results.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Daniel Robinson, Head of Finance, Operations & I.T, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e spent over 150 years in the industry. We know it well, however, we are looking to the future and need to use digital to continue to be innovative and competitive. WMG have the know-how in smart factories, and we got support that we wouldn鈥檛 have got anywhere else.鈥�

Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG, 91福利 said: 鈥�We are delighted to have received this award in recognition of our work with the Midlands manufacturing community. Our team cut through the technical jargon to get things done. From quick wins, helping businesses minimise waste in a process to longer term projects, implementing technology such as sensors and cameras to better track production throughput. The results can be transformational for businesses who are having to navigate some of the most challenging times.鈥�

WMG were also jointly awarded the engineering innovation champion prize for delivery of the with partners at the Coventry and 91福利shire Growth LEP Hub, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Find out more about WMG鈥檚 work with SMEs here

It was an honour to welcome guests from the Malaysia-UK Higher Education Collaboration Enrichment Programme (MY-UK HECEP), a flagship programme organised by the Malaysian Government, to WMG at the 91福利 on Friday (23 September).

MY-UK HECEP started in 2018 with the aim of strengthening partnerships between universities in Malaysia and UK. The Programme brings together policymakers, academics, researchers, and university management to exchange best practice in the internationalisation of higher education.

The universities in the programme work together on student and staff mobility, shared research, innovative curriculum development and digitalisation, doctoral training, transnational education (including Master's and PhD programmes), building industry relationships, and improving graduate employability.

The guests were met by Dr Kogi Balakrishnan, WMG鈥檚 Director of Client and Business Development (East Asia); before being introduced to Dr Ben Silverstone who explained more about WMG鈥檚 research capabilities and education programmes including the WMG Skills Centre.

They were then shown the 3xD Simulator, the world's first immersive, simulated environment for smart and connected vehicles, before enjoying a guided tour of both the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre and the Energy Innovation Centre - where they heard more about WMG鈥檚 world leading battery research.

Alia Alias, Education Attache, High Commission of Malaysia, London said: 鈥淚t was indeed an insightful tour and active engagement we had during the visit. The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia is looking forward to strengthening the bridge between academics and industry with the model that WMG has established. The Malaysian university representatives have briefly discussed future collaboration, especially on research collaboration and staff attachment to integrate possible collaboration improvements that lead to innovation. Many thanks to WMG for hosting us and Dr Kogi for coordinating this fantastic visit and partnership.鈥�

Dr Kogi Balakrishnan said: 鈥淗igh level strategic visits between academics, policy makers and technocrats focussed on exchange of innovative ideas and best practises between the UK and Malaysian institutions is an embodiment of the close bilateral educational and research ties between both our countries.鈥�