Rewarding excellence- Faculty of Engineering honours leading staff and students

Excellence awards recognise Imperial staff and students – News

Tuesday 17 June 2008
By Colin Smith

A pioneering educator in undergraduate biomedical engineering and students who are helping to build sustainable earthquake proof homes in El Salvador were just some of the people honoured at an award ceremony held last night (16 June 2008).

Imperial College London’s Awards for Teaching Excellence in Engineering Education were held as part of the Faculty of Engineering’s drive to reward innovation, creativity and excellence in teaching and learning.

This year, Dr Peter Cashman, Dr Shaun Crofton and Professor Omar Matar were awarded £10,000 each and congratulated by the Chair of the National Physical Laboratory, Sir Peter Williams CBE, in recognition of their outstanding work.

Sir Peter Williams presents Dr Cashman with his award

Dr Peter Cashman, from the Department of Bioengineering, was recognised for his work in establishing the undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering. He was also acknowledged for his pastoral care of students and his commitment to their personal and professional development. He said:

“Winning this award money allows me to realise a dream to set up a teaching project which brings biomedical students into more contact with hospitals as part of their undergraduate training. This will ensure that students are confident and capable when they interact with healthcare professionals.

“I am stunned, pleased, proud and amazed that I have received this award which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my students, and colleagues."

Dr Shaun Crofton, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was honoured for his dedication to engineering and to teaching. He was also recognised for his ability to bring to life all engineering subjects to ensure undergraduates understand the relevance of mechanical engineering in the real world. He said:

Sir Peter Williams presents Dr Crofton with his award

“It always gives me great pleasure to really ground my lectures in the real world to help students to relate to their studies and realise the importance of mechanical engineering in our everyday lives. I feel very privileged to be even considered for this award.”

From the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology, Professor Omar Matar, was acknowledged for his contribution in all areas of the undergraduate curriculum in chemical engineering. Professor Matar is the director of undergraduate studies and is known for his teaching style which animates the complex world of fluid dynamics, bringing clarity to the subject for students. He was also recognised for his dedication and ability to provide out of hours help to his students. He said:

Sir Peter Williams presents Professor Matar with his award

“I feel terrific to win this award but I feel my job is made much easier by the outstanding students under my care. I really feel privileged to be in the position where I can teach something useful to them."

This year, for the first time, the outstanding contribution of students to teaching and learning in the Faculty of Engineering was also recognised. The Inaugural Professor John Lever Memorial Award, established in memory of Professor John Lever who was the head of the Department of Bioengineering 2003-2006, was awarded to undergraduate engineering students.

Third year civil and environmental engineering students Elena Bailey, Alice Clarke and Michael Maks Davis have been working in partnership with non-government organisations in the Central American country of El Salvador.

Mrs Gill Lever presents Alice Clarke and Elena Bailey with their award

Each summer the team organises groups of Imperial students to visit El Salvador where they are involved in projects to construct buildings which are safer and more durable in the earthquake prone country. So far teams have constructed a secondary and nursery school, a radio station and six earthquake resistant homes in many different villages including the town of Santa Marta.

Commenting about the project Alice Clarke said:

“This project originally started in 2002 and has grown from there. The aim is to work with the local people to help build safe homes which are earthquake friendly and sustainable by using local materials like bamboo.”

As part of the award, the team received £10,000 towards the project. Elena Bailey said the money will be well spent. She said:

“We will use the money to establish an alumni group of students who have helped in the project. We also want to expand the project by taking more students. This money will also allow us to buy plane tickets well in advance which will make real savings to our small budget.”

The awards ceremony is part of the Faculty of Engineering’s EnVision strategy which is setting the benchmark for excellence in engineering education around the world. The strategy is developing new outreach, scholarship and undergraduate programmes, constructing inspiring learning environments and celebrating the achievements of staff and students in the Faculty of Engineering.

Commenting about the ceremony Professor John Wood, Principal of the Faculty of Engineering, said: “Our recipients give me confidence in the fact that Imperial’s approach to engineering education is at the vanguard of what is going on in the world. Tonight’s winners are very inspirational.”

On the night, Sir Peter Williams CBE, chair of the National Physical Science Laboratory and Mrs Gill Lever, wife of the late Professor Lever, were on hand to distribute the awards.