Engineering the future: universities and education

Sir Keith O’NionsPresident & Rector

June 2014

Introduction• For generations, Engineering has produced solutions

to society’s pressing challenges and opportunities.

• The national and global infrastructures that support us are a triumph of engineering.

• Engineering has progressively broadened its scope from civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical disciplines into spheres such as big data and biomedical engineering.

• The challenges that face a global population of 7bn make for an exciting and demanding future for engineering.

• The education and training of engineers reflects these challenges, scientific and technological progress, and the progression of a globalised business environment.

Health

Food

Data

SecurityClimate

Energy

Environment

Engineering rises to the challenge

Engineering is poised to address some of the greatest challenges that the future holds.

Healthcare – personalised MedicineEngineering across disciplines to improve health and well-beingDoctors look at your medical history … soon they will look at your medical future !

Ultra low power Wireless

Biological Algorithms

Toumaz Group SensiumVitals®PatchContinuous monitoring

Healthcare – DNA analysis

DNA ElectronicsFast, affordable and lab-free DNA diagnostics

Collect

Test

Prepare

Big data

Engineers will make a vital contribution to finding solutions to the challenges and opportunities presented by big data

Eric Schadt 2012

Data analytics

Biomedical research and personal health Predictive

models of disease

Finance

Traffic

Communications

Security

Air Traffic

Climate

Cyber security and networks

Engineering will help us protect our information in a connected worldSecure

storageEncryptio

n

Secure Digital

infrastructure

Engineering will improve Cities & Urban Environment by Controlling & Minimising Pollution Exposure

2.1 million deaths worldwide due to outdoor air pollution (WHO).Additional Toxic releases (accidental, terror).

Environment and urbanization

Engineering solutions: a continuum of activity

Without “discovery research”, engineering lacks a foundation for future

Without “real world” and “market-led” demand, and grand challenges it lacks purpose

Discovery science

Engineering solutions Industry Global

challenges

Engineering education: driving forcesRigorous command of engineering disciplines

Engage with real world problems in industry

Meet accreditation / charter requirements

Globalisation – a ‘global’ engineer

Imperial graduate engineers reside in nearly every country in the world.

Educating engineers in 2020: a view from 2005

• Rigorous fundamental disciplines• Participate in research teams• Perform challenging work in industry• Professional experience in other countries

To which we might add:

• Exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship• Management & global business

Charles Vest, National Academy of Engineering, 2005

Engineering education: questions arising• What is the role of an engineering degree course in an

engineer’s career journey?

Pre-university 4 year MEng Postgraduate

studyWork based

trainingContinuing

professional development

• How much can be achieved in 4 years?

Engineering education: another continuum

Global outlook

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Industry and management

Core disciplines, multidisciplinary environment

An entrepreneurial environment

Talentedpeople

Learning Facilities

Connectivity

Co-location and collaboration

Culture

A successful engineering education cannot be delivered through academic course content alone.

The cultural and entrepreneurial environment in which education takes place is also vital.

PlacementsStudent projectVisits

Exchanges

Imperial West: education and training in Imperial’s new innovation district

• Delivering multidisciplinary education alongside research and industry

• Space for university spin-out and start up activity

• Education embedded in a research & innovation ecosystem

• Continuing professional development and executive education

Imperial West: the future for Imperial

Research and Translation Hub

Imperial West: the future for Imperial

• Next generation training environment

• Co-location of engineers, scientists, medics, spin-out companies and patient-facing clinical activities.

Biomedical Engineering Hub

Thank youSir Keith O’NionsPresident & Rector