IED Newsletter

Issue No: 12 - Friday 13th June 2008

Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest edition of the IED newsletter. It looks as though the coming weeks are busy with lots going on.

Events

* Tuesday 24 June sees two events on the subject of design and crime. The MADE workshop 'Protecting What's Yours' on innovations in product design and technology will be held,at 1 Carlton House Terrace in London. This is a free event, go to www.iom3.org/MADE for further details and to register.

Later that day 'Designing Out Crime' - the materials advantage is being organised by the Design Council at their offices, also in London from 18.30. Join Nick Ross and Sebastian Conran to find out how hi-tech materials and design innovation can combat crime and catch criminals. Book your place by contacting tracy.breeze@designcouncil.org.uk

* Also on 24 June is the 'Knowledge and Information Management Through Life' seminar to be held at the IMechE offices in London. The event aims to help you to manage your business to learn from itself and get better organised to help you make better decisions and solve problems quicker and more cheaply. Further details from www.imeche.org/events/S1321

* Bournemouth University's School of Design, Engineering and Computing will host its annual festival of Design and Innovation from Thursday 26 June to Monday 30 June. The event will showcase the work of final year students from a range of design courses and the keynote address will be given by IED President Geoff Kirk. Further infromation including opening times can be found at www.festival.bournemouth.ac.uk

Awards

* The Engineering Technology and Innovation Awards are open for entries. The awards scheme invites university engineering and technology departments and their partners in industry to step into the spotlight with outstanding examples of collaborative activity. For more information on the categories and entry requirements visit www.theengineerawards.co.uk

Scholarships

*Arkwright Scholarships Trust - calling all engineers. Do you sometimes think that it would be good to be directly responsible for encouraging the next generation of young engineers? Have you had years of Engineering experience and feel it would be good to give something back? Why not support a young engineer through the Arkwright Scholarship Scheme.For a sum of £1800 you can be responsible for a full scholarship which lasts for 2 years. Your support is recognised in the scholarship name eg The John Smith Arkwright Scholarship/The Lloyd's Register Arkwright Scholarship and if your company is able to offer work experience and mentoring, even better.

What's in it for you or your company? Arkwright scholars are the brightest and the best - many going on to study at top Universities and to be leaders in their particular field of engineering. They never forget their sponsors and many become excellent ambassadors for their former supporters. Dave Coles, an Arkwright Scholar in 1997 went on to study Engineering at Oxford, sponsored by the Royal Navy. He is now completing a PHD in robotics having spent some time working with NASA and regularly returns to Arkwright and the Royal Navy to mentor the next generation of young engineers. Many of our scholars have gone on to work for their former sponsors after completing their degrees and this is proving to be a highly efficient recruitment tool in an increasingly competitive environment.

If you are interested in supporting the next generation of young engineers, whether as a personal donor or as a company, please get in touch with Rhiannon Glynn on 01926 333219. There's still time to support a young scholar from September 2008.

Feedback

* Thank you to everyone who responded to our calls for feedback on the proposed changes to the IEng section of the Register and also to indicate interet in the Chartered Environmentalist designation. Your IEng thoughts and comments have been passed to the ECuk and work is underway on the CEnv issue - watch this space for more details.

* The editors of Engineering Designer, the IED journal, are looking for more 'Grumpy Old Members'. If there is an issue around the design of a product, process or service that really annoys you, or you think could be improved, please do let us know. Email comments to editorial@engineeringdesigner.co.uk.

* Similarly, if there are any comments you would like to make about the journal - content, style, format or you have suggestions for articles please do let us know. Again email editorial@engineeringdesigner.co.uk

Resources

* Don't forget the IED has an extensive library of books and papers at your disposal. Cataloguing of these is still ongoing, but the majority can be sorted via the IED website, and members can order a book or paper online and it will be posted to you. Alternatively members can visit the library during office hours - ring to check the room is not being used for a meeting before you set off - telephone Sue or Marilyn on 01373 822801

* If you are a member looking for a new job, or have a vacancy suitable for an engineering or product designer and would like to advertise yourself or your vacancy on the IED website please contact Anna Spyrou at Deeson on 01795 542420, or follow the link from the Job vacancies page on the website. This service is free of charge for one month for IED members.

Quote

"Consistency is the last resort of the unimaginative". Oscar Wilde