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The secondments have numerous benefits to the secondee, his or her university and the host company. These include:
- an opportunity for the university to introduce new or revised industrially-relevant modules, programmes and/or short courses;
- new case studies;
- new student/research projects and/or to secure collaborative proposals for funding;
- publications and patents;
- guest lecturers from industry;
- student visits to the company;
- student placements and industry-sponsored PhDs;
- help with the accreditation of engineering programmes; and
- enhanced credibility of academic staff.
There are numerous benefits to host companies too, including opportunities to:
- work with a highly qualified academic/expert at no (major) cost;
- acquire access to the secondee's university staff, students, laboratories, and workshops;
- make an input to the design of the engineering curriculum thus influencing the next generation of engineers;
- offer placements to students;
- select and recruit suitable graduates;
- build long-term collaborative links involving research or consultancy work; and
- donate software and/or equipment.
Dr Kevin Stone of the University of Brighton’s School of Environment and Technology spent a six-month Royal Academy of Engineering-supported Industrial Secondment with HPR Limited (formerly High-Point Rendel). His aims were to develop and enhance the content of his existing modules by incorporating up-to-date design practice and case study material, to strengthen industry-academia links, and to initiate collaboration in ground engineering research.
Kevin was a member of the geotechnical team and his secondment work was primarily focused on the £260m New Tyne Crossing project, which involves a complex tunnelling operation beneath the Tyne. The project is particularly interesting as it involves three different tunnelling technologies – cut and cover, immersed tube units, and several small sections of a sprayed concrete-lined tunnel.
In addition to the New Tyne Crossing, Kevin also worked on the geotechnical aspects of the Vidin-Calafat Bridge project. This structure is a multi-span, cable-stayed bridge crossing the Danube from Bulgaria to Romania.
The secondment resulted in many benefits to HPR Ltd as well as to Kevin’s teaching and research and acted as a catalyst in renewing his enthusiasm for geotechnical engineering.
For further information on the Industrial Secondment Scheme please contact Dr Imren Markes at The Royal Academy of Engineering (020 7766 0600; E-mail: imren.markes@raeng.org.uk). For further information on this project please contact Dr Kevin Stone at The University of Brighton (01273 642283; E-mail: kevin.stone@brighton.ac.uk).
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