THE University of Ulster has teamed up with some of the most successful and high-growth companies in Northern Ireland to showcase the skills of local engineering students and boost career prospects. Huhtamaki Ltd, Lurgan; B/E Aero-space, Bilked; Crossland Tankers Ltd, Swatragh; Elite Electronic Systems, Enniskillen, Terex Corporation, Omagh and Intelesens Ltd, Belfast are working with the university on the initiative which sees first year students competing in engineering challenges.
These include designing a chassis and aerodynamic skin for a Formula One racing car.
Professor Colin Turner, head of School of Engineering, said: ‘It is extremely encouraging to have the sup-port of these six leading companies. Many of the student engineers will undertake their industrial placement with these companies in just over a year’s time.
“The University of Ulster is commit-ted to producing highly talented graduates who can meet the demands of industry, secure valuable career opportunities and ultimately make a positive contribution to the local economy.
Strong relationships between these companies and the School of Engineering will help our student engineers to develop essential, industry-ready skills?”
Also at the UU, students are using their expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to address a growing skills gap in classrooms across Northern Ireland.
As the need for GIS profession has grown across a number of sectors, a skills gap at post-primary level, which has a knock-on effect on industry, emerged.
Professor Adrian Moore, head of the School of Environmental Science, said: As the largest provider of GIS education on the island of Ireland, the University of Ulster is harnessing the expertise of its staff and students to help address the skills shortage in the d room, particularly in areas of deprivation and economic need. “Our Education and Environment Science students are going into school equipping, educating and enthusing teachers and pupils about this cru element within (STEM) subjects.”