RS shows support for future engineering talent
Published: 15 December, 2008
RS Components and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have entered into an agreement to work in partnership to support the continuing development of its new Centre for Engineering Excellence (CEE). The Centre was officially opened on 13th November by Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chancellor of UWS and Chairman of the Weir Group plc.
The new £2.1million state-of-the-art facility, which is based at the University's Hamilton Campus, will provide design and motorsport engineering students with access to the latest industry standard equipment, such as a modern workshop, laboratory and teaching space. The building has been specifically designed to aid the engineering student and will offer courses in Engineering Management, Product Design and Development, and Motorsport Design Engineering to BEng Honours level.
"The success of UK manufacturing is dependant on the capability of our engineers, and we warmly applaud those who seek to improve their skills through education.” Commented Julian Wood, Market Development Manager, Process, Control & Automation, RS Components. “As an engineering focussed business we aim to assist and encourage any engineer, young or old, to better themselves and learn new skills. We are delighted to support UWS, which is just one of our sponsorship agreements aimed at helping engineers progress in their careers through developing their skills. We hope our support in these schemes will help keep this country"s manufacturing businesses effective in these troubled economic times.”
The University is also involved in research and commercial development and will house a product design, development and research unit. With projects to include the development of printer consumable recycling equipment and the development of renewable energy technologies for rural Africa and research into low carbon motorsport solutions. It is hoped that these facilities will enhance UWS’ consultancy work, by providing a service for companies across the west of Scotland offering design, prototyping and manufacturing services for many applications, including medical, sports and environmental equipment.
Responsible for the CEE project are senior lecturers at UWS’ Hamilton Campus, Peter Griffin and David Kennedy: “We are delighted to be working with RS as it allows us to enhance full-time student engineering projects as we have access to the most up-to-date components used in industry.”
