GRADUATE FOCUS FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE
Queen’s University Belfast
STUDENTS from Queen’s University’s Faculty of Engineering, are receiving help from Schrader Electronics in their quest to build a Formula racing car.
Antrim and Carrick-based Schrader Electronics, a world-leading manufacturer of Automotive and Industrial electronics, has pledged to support students on their project as part of their Mechanical Engineering degree with the brief to develop, design and build a Formula Student racing car from scratch.
The team, along with their 2012 race car, visited the Schrader R&D and manufacturing plants in both Antrim and Carrick to showcase their piece of engineering and receive advice and expert opinion from some of the best engineers in the industry.
Stephen Mc Caffrey from Queen’s University explained, “This is an annual project and a much sought after module on which a select number of our students work. It normally culminates in participating in the global Formula Student race at Silverstone in July. Although we have had good results in this competition in the past, once achieving third overall and another year receiving the accolade of ‘Best European Car’, we have decided to take a year out from the competition. Our aim is to use this time to focus on and put more resources into R&D so we can develop an even better and more innovative car for 2014.
“The Formula Student project provides important, transferable practical skills such as working under pressure, problem-solving, leadership and teamwork which are essential when students move from academia to industry. It also allows students to gain experience using CAD and other computer applications and apply them to real life scenarios, which is experience many employers look for.
“This exciting project could not be part of the course without the support from companies such as Schrader Electronics who are widely regarded as the best in their field. In addition to financial contribution, Schrader is also sharing their expertise and the students were able to attend talks from senior engineers from the company on their world-leading Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), learning about how these sensors could be utilised in our next project and how tyre pressure can affect the speed and handling of a car.”
Stephen McClelland, managing director for Schrader Electronics explained, “It is fantastic projects such as Formula Student which attract and provide students with the practical, hands-on experience essential to succeed in the engineering industry.
“We are dedicated to supporting excellence in local engineering and as well as becoming involved in projects such as this one, we also have prestigious student placement and graduate schemes in place at Schrader.”
Dr Geoffrey Cunningham for Queen’s University had some positive news on this matter adding, “In recent years the number of students applying for our engineering courses has been on the increase and we welcome this. We realise that engineering is one of the industries which is still recruiting even in these challenging times so we have worked hard within schools to promote our courses and this seems to be working. It is also encouraging to have world-class, innovative engineering companies on our doorstep, such as Schrader Electronics, which offers our graduates high-end jobs which could take them around the world and so provides fantastic opportunities.”
University Of Ulster
The University of Ulster has teamed up with leading manufacturer Wrightbus to equip its employees with the language skills they will need to do business with China.
Employees at the Ballymena-based company are taking part in an innovative Chinese language and cultural awareness course delivered by the Confucius Institute at the University of Ulster (CIUU) in partnership with the School of Modern Languages.
Wrightbus is the latest Northern Ireland firm to sign up for the new business language programme launched by the University last month.
Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, said: “China’s economy is expanding rapidly. It has become the second strongest economy in the world and there is every chance that it will become the strongest economy in the world.
“China is seeking to engage with the wider world, and we have to engage with them. As part of that, learning about the language, the culture and the way China does business is the key to developing links with China.”
Steve Harper Business Development Director, Wrightbus International, said: “China and the special administrative region of Hong Kong have for 12 years played an integral role in our business.
“As we seek to expand Wrightbus International’s presence globally it has become imperative that our employees become familiar not just with the culture but also the language of business in China.
“The Confucius Institute has allowed us to configure a programme which equips our employees with the basic skills required prior to taking up residence in Zhuhai, China.”
Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh added: “The Confucius Institute promotes the teaching of Chinese language and culture and facilitates research into China’s education system, economy, the arts and society.
“It also acts as a catalyst for the further development of business links between China and Northern Ireland. We look forward to working with Wrightbus to ensure that Northern Ireland firms gain maximum benefits from this exciting new initiative.”