News
Coventry University students win regional make and break competition
“CU Masters”, a team from Coventry University’s department for Built Environment won this year’s regional Make and Break Tower building competition, beating off extremely enthusiastic and strong teams from the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham.
The competition, held on March 1st was hosted by Coventry University. It was organised by the Midland Counties Branch of the Institution of Structural engineering and the West Midland Branch of the Institution of Civil Engineers. This year’s competition received an overwhelming response with the total of nine teams from the three regional Institutions.
The objective of the competition was to develop creative thinking in structural design and the application of theoretical concepts into practice in a competitive environment.
The brief was to design and construct a tower crane out of drinking straws within a limited time of 2 hours. In addition, the model was to satisfy minimum vertical clearance of 300mm and 200mm horizontally. Teams were supplied with materials including plastic drinking straws, Blu-Tack®, Sellotape®, a metre strip of cotton string and a pair of scissors.
The teams had 10 minutes to produce initial concept sketches of their proposed design to demonstrate an appreciation of the structural form and geometry.
They had to consider the “strength to weight ratio” as well as stability of the structure when loaded with various incremental weights. The weight of the structure represents the economic building – the built quality and the quantity of the materials – while strength represents design, creativeness and the application of theoretical concepts of structural design into practice.
At the end of the designated construction time, the cranes were checked for compliance with the requirements of the brief. Following measurement of the model’s permanent load, each model was loaded in increments of 50 grams until ultimate failure. Almost models failed by overturning.
A panel of judges assessed the models based on their load carrying capacity to weight ratio. The winning team received prizes in the form of vouchers and certificate from the Institution.
‘CU Masters’, team from Coventry University emerged as the competition winner. ‘Warwick Schematic’ and ‘Sarah Chen’ from Warwick University were the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.
Alfred Gand, a teaching staff and local organiser of the event remarked, “the atmosphere was full of team working spirit and everyone seem to have enjoyed the task. It was great to see winning team from Coventry, come out with robust and sound structural engineering solution to beat off extremely enthusiastic and competitive teams from Warwick and Birmingham universities”.
Student success
Three Creative/Games second year students: Iulian Arcus, Laurentiu Catalin Hinoveanu, Karolis Kivilius have landed Nuffield Bursaries for Summer research (roughly £1000 each)
Nationally, almost 800 applications were made and only 450 were awarded.
Coventry students in Electric Grand Prix podium success
Three Motorsport Engineering students from Coventry University have finished third in the hotly-contested evGrandPrix in America, a race for pure electric karts which takes place as part of the build up to the iconic Indianapolis 500.
Ryan Colvey (24), Paul Sleight (23) and Andrew Cook (21) teamed up with the University of Sunderland to take part in the prestigious annual event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which encourages students to design, build and race the fastest and most energy-efficient battery-powered kart over 100 laps.
The trio, who designed and built the all-electric kart using the CAD and laser engineering facilities in Coventry University’s motorsport workshop, got off to a good start when their kart was voted runner-up in the ‘design’ category, which qualified them second on the grid for the gruelling race ahead of a multitude of universities from across America.
At the start, driver Paul swept into the lead of the 30-strong field – which included the University of Warwick – and, despite the limited track-time the team had prior to the event, the squad headed the pack for the opening laps.
With three laps to go, a collision while battling for the top positions bent the kart’s roll cage and forced Paul into an unscheduled pitstop, during which Ryan, Andy and the team made a herculean effort to fix the damage and get the kart back on track in a mere few seconds.
A storming final two laps saw Paul overtake five rivals, crossing the line to secure third position overall in the event.
Teams were also awarded points for the energy efficiency of their kart, which was measured at the end of the race using special battery analysing equipment. The Coventry and Sunderland team scored strongly enough in this category to cement their third position.
Ryan, a postgraduate Motorsport Engineering student and the project co-ordinator at Coventry University, said:
“Third position is a fantastic achievement for our team, and it’s a great reward for the effort we put in on the run up to the event. We didn’t get a lot of testing time beforehand, but we were pretty confident we’d come up with a good design which would be competitive.
“Paul drove a great race, even taking the lead at the start, but this was very much a team game and we worked really well together with our teammates from Sunderland. We’re already looking forward to taking on the challenge again in 2012, but next year it’s definitely the top step of the podium we’re aiming for.”
Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), said:
“This is marvellous news, I congratulate the success of these two great universities – working so well together, in a real team effort, against outstanding competition. This unique event will catch the imagination of students everywhere.
“It is perfectly timed, just as the automotive world looks ever more closely at electric solutions to green transport and young engineers need to gain all the knowledge they can. Innovative motorsport competitions, such as this, will accelerate that process, as always.”
The evGrandPrix, which is organised by Purdue University, Indiana, in conjunction with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, aims to inspire students to use sustainable technology to develop racing machines with an environmental conscience.
Professor Elena Gaura, Low Impact Buildings Grand Challenge Initiative
The UK has some of the oldest housing stock in the world, leaking heat and contributing 27% of the nation's total carbon emissions.
Retrofitting homes is now a Government priority. But the sheer scale of the job and the potential costs are terrifying (a large town of homes retrofitted per week for the next 20 years would just about do it). For individual householders, research by Forum for the Future has shown that the £6,500 loans planned through the Green Deal are around ten times short of what is needed by owners of some older properties. For large-scale landlords the notion of universal and comprehensive retrofitting looks impossible.
At the heart of the problem is picking out the real issues behind energy use and efficiency. What's to blame: are homes really kept in a tropical condition - hot, humid and basically unhealthy - or are we just making old and draughty houses bearable in the UK climate? What measures will actually make the greatest difference to energy use and carbon emissions?
Sensor technologies in homes, providing data and insights into behaviour and building performance will be critical to the future of retrofitting projects and the development and support for the right technologies. A three-year project run by Coventry University with a social housing group has developed low-cost sensors which monitor temperature, humidity, CO2 levels and light, tracked against consumption of energy and water. This way landlords can find out whether excessive carbon emissions are caused by the behaviour of residents, problems with heating systems or in the fabric of the building itself.
Sensors are to be trialled with 150 properties owned by Orbit Heart of England. More than 200,000 items of data are generated from each sensor, crunched into a form which can be analysed by non-experts. On the basis of the 20 homes monitored and analysed so far, Orbit has been able to start making decisions on investment. For example, ground-source heating is often regarded as being energy efficient but it needs to be permanently switched on. People more familiar with controlling the heat of a central heating system often switch the groundsource system off, which leads to a cold house with increased humidity and the potential for mould to form, resulting in unnecessary repair costs. In this instance, the data collated has enabled the University to research the prediction of mould formation, which is essential information for Orbit. Mould is much easier to combat if it is caught in its early stages as it can be fixed using simple cosmetic measures and longer term damage can be avoided by ensuring tenants are better informed about how to use the heating system. The next stage of our research is to monitor 23 new "passiv" homes, testing their claims to be "zero carbon" and how they perform in practice with social housing tenants.
Having access to this type of information means that building managers and tenancy engineers can decide whether a refurbishment is needed or whether the tenant just needs more advice on how to manage the home more efficiently. Some properties will have a combination of issues that put them at risk of being below the threshold for healthy living and sensor data allows Orbit to prioritise those that need refurbishments urgently, and highlight potential problems before they happen. The growing pressure of carbon reduction targets aside, inefficient homes also tend to be unhealthy homes and properly targeted retrofitting will also improve the living conditions and health of tenants.
Evaluation of a building's performance is just not a common part of construction and commissioning, the assumption being that a building will perform according to the design specification. Research has overwhelmingly shown however that how a building is used is the critical factor, with up to 200% variation in energy consumption from identical buildings. A culture of monitoring - more accurate sensing, cheaper technologies and better analysis of the data - will be crucial to creating a sustainable future for UK housing, retrofitting and newbuild.
Coventry University success on Jaguar Land Rover National Graduate Scheme
Coventry University Engineering and Computing students have accepted 13 places on the Jaguar Land Rover National Graduate Scheme in the areas of Product Development, Manufacturing, IT, Design and Marketing.
This popular scheme recieve a high amount of applications with Coventry University receiving the highest amount of offers.
Jaguar Land Rover are extremely pleased given that we’ve only been working closely with them on the Graduate Scheme since the start of this academic year. We will be using the summer to plan our activities for the next acadmic year and there are already talks of some exciting opportunities for students and these go beyond just the graduate scheme.
Final year student leaves a lasting impression on the University
Illustration Graphics student, Alex Tyrer, has had his work displayed on a grand scale – covering the hoardings around the University’s new Engineering and Computing building.
The work was part of a self-initiated brief for Alex’s course. Alex approached staff in Estates, Marketing and Engineering and Computing to offer his design skills.
Liz Smith, Faculty Support Manager in EC, described to Alex the type of work which would be carried out in the building and provided Alex with three themes to base his design on. These were Aerospace, Computing and Automotive. Alex was also asked to work with colours from the University’s brand palette.
For the aerospace element of the design, Alex based his illustration on features from aircraft including the engine and blades. The computing element – which is Alex’s favourite of the three – is based on a computer tower and the contents within the tower. The automotive elements incorporate the hexagonal themes on the exterior of the building.
Alex said: ‘My original plan was to hand draw my designs straight onto the hoarding – but the scale of the project was too big and it would have taken me months to complete. The designs were still hand drawn, although on a smaller scale and then scanned and enlarged to fit the hoardings.’
He continued: ‘I am quite pleased with how the designs look. I was a little worried that they might not look good when they were up but I am happy with the way they look now. I have had some great feedback about the work and it’s something different to add to my portfolio.’
Alex is currently working on an illustrated children’s book for Macmillan Cancer Care. He is also exhibiting in the University’s art and design degree show in June and the prestigious Free Range exhibition until July.
Reducing carbon emissions – can the car make a positive contribution?
Transport accounts for 20% of all greenhouse emissions worldwide and 50% of this comes from automobiles.
A free professorial lecture at Coventry University on January 18 hopes to shed some light on the impact legislation has had on helping to bring down emissions in new vehicles.
The lecture will focus on the targets that have been set and the subsequent achievements and discuss whether or not this is a case of too little and too late?
Peter White is the Professor of Thermofluid Dynamics in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University. He’s also Chairman of the Automobile Division at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
He will be looking at the challenges faced in reducing carbon emissions taking into account the technical innovation, energy sources, trends in vehicle ownership and socio-economic behaviour.
Professor White said:
“To prevent a 20c rise in temperature requires an 85% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. I will be asking if this can be achieved and what contribution can the automobile make?”
The lecture, which is a joint venture between Coventry University and IMechE, takes place on Tuesday 18 January at 7.30pm in the Goldstein Lecture Theatre in the Alan Berry Building at Coventry University.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
To book a place, contact Mrs Suky Dhillon on 024 7679 5294 or by email on suky.dhillon@coventry.ac.uk
Refreshments will be available after the lecture at approximately 8.30pm
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing new building developments - Second Life
A visualisation of the new Engineering & Computing Building in Second Life
A visualisation of the new Engineering & Computing Building in Second Life
New degrees launched in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing is always looking ahead to the needs of tomorrow’s graduates and employers and has recently launched several new courses. These are:
BSc (Hons) in Rehabilitation Engineering and Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Engineering
These new courses are unique in the UK. They are vocational qualifications which enable graduates to practise as rehabilitation engineers in the NHS. Students pay no fees as all places are sponsored by the NHS. They also get NHS bursaries towards living expenses.
The syllabus combines clinical knowledge with engineering skills to enable graduates to design and also advise on the most suitable wheelchair and seating services for those who need them.
The BSc (Hons) degree is four years long and includes four clinical placements. The Diploma is 18 months long and also includes clinical work experience. Applicants should have 260 UCAS points or equivalent and good interpersonal skills and a desire to help people.
MBA Aviation Management
Coventry University validates this degree which is run in collaboration with Emirates Aviation College in Dubai and, since September 2009, in Singapore. A UK launch is planned.
The course is now accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Emirates.
The MBA Aviation Management is unique in being explicitly linked with Emirates Airlines. It has attracted many students from within the industry including commercial pilots, cabin crew and airport managers. Prospective students should hold a degree or equivalent professional qualification.
A two-year, part-time programme, it is delivered by a mixture of academic staff and industry experts such as the Fleet Manager of Emirates Airlines. It consists of eight modules, each taught intensively over five days including a weekend, plus a dissertation. Coventry University and the Emirates Aviation College teach half the modules each. Students are assessed through exams and coursework.
The Faculty and Emirates Aviation College also offer two more collaborative MBAs – the MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and the MBA in IT Management.
BSc Architecture
The BSc (Hons) in Architecture was launched in 2009-10 in response to a suggestion from the profession locally and is currently awaiting accreditation from the Architectural Registration Board.
Competition for places is stiff and from 2011 candidates will require 300 UCAS points alongside an impressive portfolio of their work.
The course is run by Sabine Coady Shaebitz, who trained in Weimar, East Germany, the birthplace of the Bauhaus movement. Her interests include architecture conservation and the interface between contemporary and historic architecture.
A strength of the course is its placement in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, giving students the opportunity to take courses in structural engineering.
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The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Professor Paul Jowitt, visits Coventry University
The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Professor Paul Jowitt, visited Coventry University to attend a forum on training and qualification for civil engineering technicians organised by John Davies, Head of The Built Environment, in conjunction with ICE West Midlands.
He met four of the students involved in a Coventry University scheme that leads to the qualifications ‘EngTech, TMICE’ at the same time as the HNC in Civil Engineering. He heard about the scheme from module tutor Jon Ordidge, Senior Lecturer in the department, as well as from representatives of other national initiatives to promote technician qualifications.
Pictured are Coventry students Craig Viner, Adam Barker, Robert Hobkirk and Allan Purchase, with Paul Jowitt, ICE president.
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Enterprising Partnerships - Coventry University and MIRA
In this video Mike Dickison (Coventry University) & Angus Lock (MIRA) talk about the work they are doing around the area of low carbon technology within the automotive industry.
Watch the video
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Coventry welcomes high flyers for national competition
Two top test pilots will be coming to Coventry in June as the University plays host to the Aircraft Design and Handling Competition 2010.
It is the first time the competition has come out of London and teams from Universities throughout the UK will be competing in the event which takes place on Friday 11 June at the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing.
Organised by the Merlin Flight Simulation Group, this unique annual event is not just an aircraft design exercise.
Marion Neal, the Marketing Director from Merlin said:
“In order to design an aircraft, it has to be able to fly and as a result, all entries for the competition are ‘flown’ and assessed on one of Merlin’s flight simulators at Coventry University by experienced test pilots.”
The teams will be put through their paces by having to fly their aircraft model in one of Coventry University’s flight simulators on which they will be judged by test pilots Dave Southwood from ETPS (Empire Test Pilots School) and Dave Mackay from Virgin Galactic.
The competition is judged in two parts. As well as flying in the simulators, the students will have to produce a display of project material and technical information, posters, lap top presentations and models of the aircraft.
Coventry University won last year’s competition. Student Charlotte Collins won the £1,000 prize money and this year, they hope to make 2010 another winning year.
Chris Bland, Head of Department Systems Engineering said:
“We are delighted to be hosting the event at Coventry University, especially as it will be the first time the competition has come out of London. Our students are looking forward to the challenge of competing against the other Universities and it would be the icing on the cake if the home team were victorious.”
As well as Dave Southwood and Dave Mackay taking part in the day as the judges, John Farley, an ex Harrier Chief Test Pilot will be providing a running commentary on the proceedings.
Marion Neal concluded:
“We are looking forward to coming to Coventry and I must thank our sponsors and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University for making this possible.
“Not only is this competition fun for the students who enter, but many of them may well be looking to have a career within the industry and to have a win like this on their CV is an excellent calling card.”
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Students uncover designs for community buildings
Later this month, Building and Civil Engineering students at Coventry University will be showing off designs for a new landmark building for the Cheylesmore Community centre as part of their end of year degree show project.
The project exhibition takes place on Friday 30 April at the John Laing Building in Much Park Street and as well as the designs for the community centre, students have produced proposals for a two-storey art gallery.
According to senior lecturer, Steve Austin, the students worked to specific client briefs.
He said:
“With the Community Centre, Building and Civil engineering students were asked to design a new centre based on the client’s written brief. They also met with the client which gave them valuable input into the design process.
“The Civil Engineering students have been working on proposals for a two-storey art gallery to be constructed on a sloping city centre site.
“All of them have had to work to specific requirements from a client and as well as designs, they have had to look at building materials, produce a series of plans, posters and models.”
First year students will also be displaying their work at the exhibition. The first year students have been asked to design a bus shelter as an example of an infrastructure-related project.
There will also be work by Architectural Design Technology students who have made a poster presentation of their work. The students use graphic techniques and text to present the outcome of their research and design.
The work will be on display from 4.30pm On Friday 30 April and it is open to anyone with an interest in Building Design.
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Construction Challenge Success for Students
A team of four Civil Engineering students at Coventry University won 1st prize in the University Challenge event at the National Engineering & Construction Recruitment Exhibition last month.
Jamie Bradley, Christopher Harrod, Serjan Paddan and Peter Steere beat teams from other local universities to scoop the £750 prize at the exhibition, held at the NEC on 27 November.
The Coventry University team entered a challenge which involved building a vehicle using a motor and propeller, balsa wood and flat corrugated plastic.
Serjan explained:
“We had to build a vehicle that would sit on a washing line and travel across it in as quick a time as possible over about 8metres. We had an average time of 4.6seconds.”
They also entered a bridge building event where they had to build a bridge spanning 1 metre using rolls of A3 paper, a hole-punch, nuts and bolts, masking tape and string. The bridge had to be as light as possible whilst being able to hold a 4kg weight. The team also won this challenge by producing a bridge weighing 250 grams able to hold around 8kg.
Serjan commented:
“Once we had won the first challenge it was ours for the taking with the bridge next. I'd have quit University if we had lost the bridge challenge!”
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The Faculty of Engineering and Computing collaborate with GCSE students
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University has a number of collaborations with leaders in industry to provide premium learning for degree students. However, one of our most recent collaborations has been with GCSE students at Stoke Park School.
The Stoke Park school project enabled Coventry University to provide secondary school students with access to expertise and industry standard facilities, giving the students a taste of something that cannot be experienced in their classroom.
Teachers and students from Stoke Park school wished to enhance their studies by joining forces with Coventry University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing. The GCSE resistant materials students sought the opportunity to use fantastic equipment that would enhance and reinforce their understanding and the overall experience of a subject.
The students and teachers worked with the Faculty to decide upon a project that would be beneficial to their studies. The project chosen was 3D models which built upon their previous 2D design project carried out at school.
The project took place over 3 days at Coventry University with degree students teaching the school pupils and it provided the opportunity for the University ambassadors to pass on some of the skills and knowledge that they have gained while studying on their course.
Day 1
University technicians demonstrated the equipment available to students. The stereo projection room and model laser cutters as well as full sized industrial cutting machines.
Students used the Rapid prototyping kit to prepare for their 2D puzzles to be turned into 3D.
Day 2
Coventry University student ambassadors demonstrated and explained the 3D solid works package and the Stoke Park students set to work on developing their group projects.
Day 3
On day 3 the 3D models were complete and reviewed by the students who then created a portfolio to show the stages of development.
This collaboration proved to be a success with 22 out of 23 of the students achieving a pass and continuing on to further study.
The project enabled the school pupils to:
• Work with industry standard equipment
• Develop skills that could not have been achieved in a classroom
• Work outside the classroom environment where they had to discuss ideas and problem solve
• Develop their group working skills
Kevyn Storer from Stoke Park School said:
“The visit has provided the students with the opportunity to work in a University, using the resources and equipment provided, also working with your colleagues.
“It has already opened the eyes of some of our students who have now decided that they definitely want to go to a University when they leave school.
“The ambassadors [degree students] were outstanding in every aspect, their enthusiasm and love of Engineering clearly rubbed off on the Stoke Park students.”
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Students design car that does 500 mpg!
Automotive engineering students at Coventry University have designed a car that can drive nearly 500 miles on just one gallon of petrol.
The team of students designed, built and raced a car which can go 486 miles; the equivalent of going from Coventry to Aberdeen and all for less than £5.
Weighing only seven stones, with an engine built from a garden strimmer, the Coventry car raced against other interesting, weird and wonderful designs from across Europe at the Shell Eco Marathon in Germany.
Christophe Bastien, Coventry University’s automotive engineering programme manager, said:
“We built the car in less than a year and barely had time to test it but we went and raced it against a very competitive group and did 172km with just one litre of fuel. That works out at about 550 miles per gallon.”
The annual Shell Eco Marathon attracts more than 100 teams of 16 to 26-year-olds. It challenges them to design and build a vehicle that uses the least amount of fuel and can travel the farthest distance.
Coventry finished in 86th position out of the 91 teams that were entered in the prototype category.
The victorious St Joseph La Joliverie team from France covered 2,300 miles on just one litre of petrol. This means that a gallon of fuel would last between London and Sydney!
The car build by the Coventry students is a one-seater three-wheeler, with a lightweight structure and aluminium tubing.
It has a 31cc engine and a maximum speed of 20mph.
Christophe Bastien added: “We have wonderful history of automotive engineering at Coventry University and it’s an opportunity to get involved in a topic that’s very important for the industry.
"This is a global problem and to work in this industry, the students need experience of tackling this.
"It’s entirely extra-curricular so they’ve devoted a lot of their time to it. We’re already planning to be back next year.”
View the student automotive engineering site.
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University hosts weekend maths classes for high achievers
Over the next two months, Coventry University is to host a series of Saturday morning maths classes for the region’s high achieving pupils.
More Maths Grads* in collabration with The Royal Institution of Great Britian and Coventry & Warwickshire local authorities have organised a series of mathematics masterclassess.
Six masterclassess will take place on Saturday mornings in October and November attended by 40 high achieving year 9 students from secondary schools in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull.
Secondary master classes are designed to encourage, inspire and engage young people in the art and practice of mathematics. The highly interactive sessions introduce students to aspects or applications of maths which may not usually be covered in the school curriculum. The sessions will be led by prominent mathematics presenters who were chosen for their ability to share their insight and enthusiasm for the subject.
Dr. Farzana Aslam, the Subject Co-ordinator from the Department of Mathematics at Coventry University said:
“In each session, students get the opportunity to explore the subject for themselves either individually or in small groups. Topics range from 101 uses of quadratic equations to kaleidoscopes. If the master classes prove to be a success, it could become a regular event.”
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Student wins award in aircraft design
Charlotte Collins, a final year Aerospace Technology student at Coventry University won £1000 when she achieved first place.
The competition, run by the Royal Aeronautical Society's Flight Simulation Group and Merlin Flight Simulation, is designed to find students in the UK with expertise in aircraft design, handling and simulation.
The competition was judged in two parts: Firstly the display of the project material and technical information were assessed and then the 'flying' and assessment of the aircraft designs were tested in a Merlin Simulator by John Farley, ex-Harrier Chief Test Pilot, David Southwood, Tutor at the Empire Test Pilots School and Captain Eric Brown a world renowned test pilot.
Ten teams were entered for the competition including entries from Universities of Bristol, Salford, Leeds, Hertfordshire and Swansea but it was Coventry University’s entry that wowed the judges.
Our second student entry also took away an award for the best individual entry. Tom Breen, who modelled a man-powered aircraft, is also studying Aerospace Technology at Coventry University. He was awarded a year’s subscription to Todays Pilot.
Chris Bland, Head of the Department of Computing and The Digital Environment at Coventry University, commented on these great achievements:
“It is fantastic recognition of these student’s effort’s and achievements during their studies in Aerospace Technology. They made substantial use of the Flight Simulators provided in the Aerospace Laboratory to achieve this result. They have been a credit to the university throughout their studies and I am very pleased for them.”
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Coventry to honour visiting Professor for humanitarian work
As an indication of Coventry University increasing international profile, the University is to award for the first time an honorary degree during the International and Postgraduate Awards ceremonies in July.
The recipient is Dr. Majid Alsadi and he will be conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his contribution to humanitarian work, regeneration and education in Iraq and the Middle East.
Dr. Alsadi studied for a part-time MPhil-PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Coventry in the 1980s and has gone on to become a successful and well-regarded entrepreneur based in Amman in Jordan.
Dr. Alsadi, who is a visiting Professor in Aerospace Engineering at Coventry University, was recently made Patron of the Mineseeker Foundation and is backing their efforts to clear unexploded landmines from former war zones. He joined Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor of Jordan and Sir Richard Branson on the list of the charity’s patrons.
In 2007, Coventry University launched the Majid Alsadi Scholarship Foundation supporting financially students from Iraq and elsewhere. This scheme has run for 3 years and continues to help other international students enjoy the same opportunities he had at Coventry University.
Professor Paul Ivey, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, said:
“Majid has fond memories of his time here and so we were delighted when he accepted our invitation for an Honorary Degree. Not only has he done a great deal to improve the lives of others through his humanitarian, regeneration and educational work but he is supporting international students who want to study at Coventry University.”
Dr. Alsadi is Chairman of Eastern Investment Group Holding and also supported the development of a set of flight simulators at Coventry unique to UK Universities. These simulators are used to support the training of aircraft engineers.
Professor Ivey added:
“One of Dr. Alsadi’s companies, Eastern Investment Group Holdings specialises in airline training and simulation and so his contribution towards the new flight simulator is very much in keeping with his business and personal interests. His generosity will ensure that students at Coventry University can work with state-of-the art equipment during their studies.”
Professor Paul Ivey will be delivering the eulogy to Dr. Majid Alsadi on Wednesday 15 July at 2.30pm at the International and Postgraduate Awards Ceremony at Coventry Cathedral.
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Community Centre designs given thumbs up
Building and civil engineering students at Coventry University have been showing off their designs for a new landmark building for the Cheylesmore Community centre as part of their end of year degree show project at the John Laing Building in Much Park Street.
They were asked to come up with new ideas for a replacement building on the site of the existing centre in Arundel Road and the team, Future Design Group, won the University-led competition.
According to senior lecturer, Steve Austin, the reason their project won was that their design not only fully met the client’s brief but also challenged it.
He said:
“The building contains several different functions; a library, pre-school, sports centre, CIPC centre etc under one roof. The group took this concept and produced a building with different wings for the different requirements.
“In doing so they managed to allow a lot of natural light into the various areas of the building. They also moved the climbing wall to a central atrium that linked the two phases of the building and made a real feature out of the central atrium space, which the client wanted.”
The standard of work for the competition was very high and Cheylesmore community centre manager, Paul Jamieson was said to be impressed with the winning designs as they translated his vision of what the building should look like.
Steve Austin added:
“Their design was very strong and beautifully presented in drawings and video but in addition, it was backed up by excellent structural work, costings, planning and construction policies. This complete approach made them the best group overall.”
It was the first time that team members, Robin Clegg, Rickpal Singh, Paul Beechey, Matt Ison and Steven Milward had worked together.
Each member contributed to this project but the team felt that Robin Clegg, as lead architect, deserved special praise as the design was “the heart of soul of the whole project”.
Robin Clegg, BSc Architectural Design Technology student said:
“As we all came from different disciplines and backgrounds I think we bought something new to a team approach. In fact, we bonded quite quickly and that is why I think our project was such a complete package.
“It was a challenge and it was a lot of hard work but we have thoroughly enjoyed it and delighted that our design was chosen as the best. It would be great if any of our ideas are used when the building is eventually replaced!”
The lead architect of the new building for the faculty of Engineering and Computing which is currently under construction was just one of the visitors to the exhibition from the industry.
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Students have designs on community centre
Building and Civil Engineering students from Coventry University have been working to produce possible proposals for the redevelopment of the Cheylesmore Community Centre as part of their degree course.
The brief was for them to design the new centre and plan the construction in two phases so that the original community centre could remain open during the first construction phase.
Module Leader for the project, Stephen Austin, has been impressed with the designs and especially the way in which the students tackled the brief. He said:
“Because there were two phases to this project, the students had to design two buildings that when finally constructed, would look like one building. They also had to plan the construction process, including the demolition of the existing building following the completion of the first new phase of the centre.
“As well as all this, they have had to produce documentation looking at possible sustainable features to be included, calculate the cost of the new proposal and cover appropriate legislations for the new building.”
An exhibition of their designs will be on show on Tuesday 28 April in the Sir John Laing Building on Much Park Street, Coventry between 4.30 – 6.30pm.
Invited to the exhibition will be members of the construction industry as well as all the user groups of the existing community centre to look at the design ideas the students have come up with.
The drawing, models and any relevant construction documentation will be on show and the students will be on hand to answer any questions about their design proposals.
The exhibition is an annual event but this was the first year that an existing community centre has been used as the focus of the project brief.
Stephen Austin added:
“This has been a particular challenge for the students as they had to work around an existing building. I am sure that members of the construction industry and users from the community centre will be impressed with the range of ideas they have produced.”
At the exhibition, there will also be the work from HNC Building and HNC Civil Engineering students on show.
The exhibition is open to anyone with an interest in Building and Civil Engineering.
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There’s more to maths than numbers
Coventry University is hosting a workshop next month to look at ways of encouraging more young people to take maths.
The event on 12 May is aimed at maths teachers and careers specialists in the local area and is run by CRAC – a national career development organisation.
Organiser of the event, Dr. Farzana Aslam and subject coordinator for maths at Coventry University said:
“Maths is a strategically important and valuable subject and we are helping to promote ‘More Maths Grads’ a major national pilot programme to increase the number of people taking maths courses at A’ level and Degree level.”
The workshop will be looking at how young people can be encouraged with maths and dispel the myth that having a maths qualification only leads to a narrow range of jobs. There are a number of guest speakers on the day including representatives from Rolls Royce, Unipart, Bath University and the IMA (the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications).
It is expected that the workshop will bring together subject teachers and careers staff in order to consider information, advice and guidance for young people considering further study in maths and enable delegates to develop their ability to help students consider the study of maths at A’ level.
Dr. Aslam added:
“One of the areas of discussion at the workshop will be to identify what discourages young people from opting to study maths. Is it because they find the subject too hard or too boring? Whatever the reasons, the workshop will be useful for teachers and careers staff to effectively raise the uptake of maths after GCSE level.”
The workshop takes place on Tuesday 12 May between 9.30am – 3.00pm at the Armstrong Siddeley Building, Coventry University in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Sciences.
For more information, or to book a place on the workshop, call 024 7688 8569 or email aa4015@coventry.ac.uk
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Planners approve next phase of University redevelopment
Plans for the second major project of Coventry University’s £160 million redevelopment plan, the Engineering and Computing Building were approved today, Thursday 29 January by Coventry City’s Council Planning Committee.
The Council gave the green light, and granted full planning permission for the construction of what will be an impressive and iconic new building, home to the university's engineering, computing and maths faculties.
Located on the site of the former Gulson Road hospital next to the University’s library, it will feature two L-shaped blocks representing science and nature and a green roof to maximise the use of natural daylight in order to keep carbon emissions low.
The design for this building has been created by Arup Associates and by incorporating both science and nature through technology, it represents the University’s focus on innovation.
The building will incorporate engineering workshops and test facilities, classrooms, laboratories, conference facilities, office and meeting rooms. The design of the building has encompassed the desire to showcase the activities taking place within the building. It will also enable a significant increase in business interaction.
The University announced earlier this month that its preferred contractor for the building is Balfour Beatty and site preparation and construction work is set to start in Spring at the same time as the student Enterprise Building.
Councillor Gary Ridley, cabinet member (city development) said,
"We are really raising the design standards for new buildings in the city. And this new engineering and computing building will be both impressive and functional. Coventry University has very exciting and ambitious plans and they are a key part of our wider plan to regenerate and transform the city centre. It represents another £160 million of investment in our city centre and I look forward to seeing work start."
David Soutter, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Finance and Resources for the University comments:
“This building will be a real landmark and fantastic asset for the city. It will raise to new levels our services to industry and we will be working with our funders and business partners to ensure we maximise its contribution to the economy, as well as providing excellent teaching and learning to our students.”
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