engineering the future: universities and education sir keith o’nions president & rector june...
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Engineering the future: universities and education
Sir Keith O’NionsPresident & Rector
June 2014
Introduction• For generations, Engineering has produced solutions
to society’s pressing challenges and opportunities.
• The national and global infrastructures that support us are a triumph of engineering.
• Engineering has progressively broadened its scope from civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical disciplines into spheres such as big data and biomedical engineering.
• The challenges that face a global population of 7bn make for an exciting and demanding future for engineering.
• The education and training of engineers reflects these challenges, scientific and technological progress, and the progression of a globalised business environment.
Health
Food
Data
SecurityClimate
Energy
Environment
Engineering rises to the challenge
Engineering is poised to address some of the greatest challenges that the future holds.
Healthcare – personalised MedicineEngineering across disciplines to improve health and well-being
Doctors look at your medical history … soon they will look at your medical future !
Ultra low power Wireless
Biological Algorithms
Toumaz Group SensiumVitals®Patch
Continuous monitoring
Healthcare – DNA analysis
DNA Electronics
Fast, affordable and lab-free DNA diagnostics
Collect
Test
Prepare
Big data
Engineers will make a vital contribution to finding solutions to the challenges and opportunities presented by big data
Eric Schadt 2012
Data analytics
Biomedical research and personal health Predictive
models of disease
Finance
Traffic
Communications
Security
Air Traffic
Climate
Cyber security and networks
Engineering will help us protect our information in a connected worldSecure
storageEncryptio
n
Secure Digital
infrastructure
Engineering will improve Cities & Urban Environment by Controlling & Minimising Pollution Exposure
2.1 million deaths worldwide due to outdoor air pollution (WHO).
Additional Toxic releases (accidental, terror).
Environment and urbanization
Engineering solutions: a continuum of activity
Without “discovery research”, engineering lacks a foundation for future
Without “real world” and “market-led” demand, and grand challenges it lacks purpose
Discovery science
Engineering solutions
IndustryGlobal challenges
Engineering education: driving forces
Rigorous command of engineering disciplines
Engage with real world problems in industry
Meet accreditation / charter requirements
Globalisation – a ‘global’ engineer
Imperial graduate engineers reside in nearly every country in the world.
Educating engineers in 2020: a view from 2005
• Rigorous fundamental disciplines• Participate in research teams• Perform challenging work in industry• Professional experience in other countries
To which we might add:
• Exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship• Management & global business
Charles Vest, National Academy of Engineering, 2005
Engineering education: questions arising
• What is the role of an engineering degree course in an engineer’s career journey?
Pre-university 4 year MEng Postgraduate study
Work based training
Continuing professional development
• How much can be achieved in 4 years?
Engineering education: another continuum
Global outlook
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Industry and management
Core disciplines, multidisciplinary environment
An entrepreneurial environment
Talentedpeople
Learning Facilities
Connectivity
Co-location and collaboration
Culture
A successful engineering education cannot be delivered through academic course content alone.
The cultural and entrepreneurial environment in which education takes place is also vital.
PlacementsStudent projectVisits
Exchanges
Imperial West: education and training in Imperial’s new innovation district
• Delivering multidisciplinary education alongside research and industry
• Space for university spin-out and start up activity
• Education embedded in a research & innovation ecosystem
• Continuing professional development and executive education
Imperial West: the future for Imperial
Research and Translation Hub
Imperial West: the future for Imperial
• Next generation training environment
• Co-location of engineers, scientists, medics, spin-out companies and patient-facing clinical activities.
Biomedical Engineering Hub
Thank you
Sir Keith O’NionsPresident & Rector