University of Lincoln and Siemens lead the field in collaborative working
29/11/2011 University of Lincoln
The University of Lincoln and Siemens have received a prestigious Lord Stafford Award, recognising their groundbreaking collaboration which has led to the first purpose-built engineering school in the UK for more than 20 years.This collaboration between industry and academia which is driving innovation in industrial power generation engineering, received the Open Collaboration award.
The award is for a consortium led by a University which emphasises innovation and collaboration with high levels of engagement. The Lord Stafford Awards recognise, showcase and reward the best in collaboration between businesses and universities across the Midlands.
The new School of Engineering, developed by the University and Siemens, is the first of its kind for 20 years in the UK. The new School was opened in September 2010, to accept the first cohort of engineering graduates.
Now in its second year, the School relocated to the purpose-built Engineering Hub on the University's main campus in September 2011. The Hub is a brand new state-of-the-art building, which houses Siemens' gas turbine training suite, leading edge research and development facilities, teaching and training rooms and a corporate area for business clients.
The collaborative nature of the School means that graduates are 'industry-ready' and able to immediately contribute when they enter the workplace - whether with Siemens' own manufacturing facility in the city, or other engineering companies.
The £7m School of Engineering provides specialist courses in industrial power and energy, which are designed to meet the future needs of engineering enterprise and innovation.
Academics and Siemens employees are co-located, meaning that students benefit from the real-world, practical experience with world class gas turbines alongside the delivery of the theoretical underpinnings provided within an academic environment.
The co-location of a real engineering business within the School also provides an opportunity to extend students' learning from beyond the lecture room or lab and into a real, professional environment.
Head of the School of Engineering, Dr Jill Stewart, said: "What sets Lincoln's School of Engineering apart is that we really did start with a blank piece of paper. We were, and still are, able to work with collaborators such as Siemens in a completely new and innovative way. We are raising the profile of Engineering and many of our new entrants are people who might never previously have considered enrolling on an Engineering degree. That can only be good news for the future of the Engineering profession."
Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including those who have just completed A levels to experienced engineers, who value the learning opportunity and qualification.
Steve Middlebrough, director of engineering at Siemens in Lincoln, said: "Siemens has a very long heritage and commitment to skills and training. The co-location of Siemens' world-class gas turbine training facility is unique, enabling students to benefit from real-life engineering issues first hand. This is all part of our focus on creating 'industry-ready' graduates with the practical engineering skills needed in today's business. We also focus on highly innovative research for next generation turbines and other technical engineering issues. Our goal is to make the School a centre of excellence for engineering."
Lord Stafford, patron of the Awards, said: "This is an example of a superb link-up between a major employer and the Higher Education provider in a city to create a facility which is beneficial to both parties. Not only does the involvement of a major company like Siemens make the offer of the University of Lincoln more attractive to engineering students but the graduates produced benefit Siemens. This is collaboration at its very best and really shows what the Lord Stafford Awards is all about."
The Engineering Hub will be opened officially on the 19th January 2012.
For further information, please contact Miss Joni Appleton:
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN6 7TS
Tel: 01522 886244
Email: jappleton@lincoln.ac.uk
Web: www.lincoln.ac.uk
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