The industry-into-academia initiative uses the varied experiences of Visiting Professors to enhance teaching and the employability of UK engineering students while strengthening industry partnerships.
By Mr John Stevenson (Senior Communications Officer), Published
City, University of London's Institute of Sensors and Instrumentation has been successful in two applications to the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Visiting Professors scheme for 2022/23.
This industry-into-academia initiative aims to utilise the experience of Visiting Professors (with backgrounds as industrialists, entrepreneurs, consultants or innovators) to enhance teaching and learning as well as the employability and skills of UK engineering degree students whilst strengthening external partnerships with industry.
Professor Panicos Kyriacou put forward Professor Stephen O’ Connor, an Honorary Professor and a strong supporter of City. Professor O'Connor is the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). He is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
As RAEng Visiting Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Stephen, using his wide industry experience in the medical device industry, will work with students on the practical world of biomedical engineering outside academia.
Professors Kenneth Grattan and Tong Sun put forward Dr Heriberto Bustamante, a long standing colleague from industry and also a strong supporter on City as a partner in academic-industrial research partnerships.
Dr Heriberto (Heri) Bustamante graduated with his PhD from Imperial College, London and has been an industrial scientist for more than 30 years, with a breadth of civil service, academic and industrial experience in the water, mineral, coal and petrochemical industries.
His interaction with academia brings a clear industry viewpoint to the table, so to speak, and his support will make the curriculum more industry-oriented, focusing on leadership and management skills, business acumen, technical expertise and teamwork.