Bright sparks showcase designs

Sep 4 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

STUDENTS shared their creative spark with delegates from the world of industry at an event to showcase a new partnership in the region.

Phones that track the movements of your family, solar-powered cars, flexible manufacturing and advanced computer systems were among the projects outlined to business leaders.

Some of the brightest thinkers in North East England told delegates at the North East Industry and University Interaction Showcase how the North East Studentship (NESt) programme is benefiting the region.

Postgraduate students from the universities of Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside have all spent time in industry as part of the NESt programme, which is funded by regional development agency One North East.

The students include Sara Zarei from Teesside University, who worked with Middlesbrough engineering firm Stanley Vickers, and Newcastle University student Tegan Smith who is due to start work with Morpeth pharmaceutical company Piramal Healthcare.

John Boyle is studying for an MSc in New & Renewable Energy at Durham University and has worked on projects including a drive system for a solar- powered car with Newcastle company Hilltech Developments.

He said: “I’ve had an amazing year, sharing a class with like-minded people, mainly engineers, from all parts of the globe, all with similar ideals and goals of reducing people’s carbon footprints on the world.

“The two main projects I worked on were the design of collapsible wind turbines for nomadic tribesmen in Mongolia and my dissertation, “Development of an In-wheel drive system for a solar car”.

“The scheme has meant I have been involved with Hiltech Developments, Newcastle, with their vast experience with electric vehicles, and I hope to take up a position with them upon graduating.”

Anthony Ofoegbu of the University of Sunderland, has worked on a scheme to help improve efficiency at Gateshead’s TWP Packaging by 20% and save it £250,000.

Tony Sarginson, of manufacturers organisation EEF was keynote speaker at the event, and was part of an expert panel which also featured David Way, director of knowledge exchange and special projects at the Technology Strategy Board, Alan Welby, director of strategy at One North East, Jane Atkinson, assistant vice-president of SembCorp Utilities and Bernie Callaghan, CEO of Sunderland Software City.

Mr Welby said: “Today’s event has given people genuine optimism for the future of North East industry.

“The many and varied projects outlined have a snapshot of just some of the innovative thinking that our world-class universities are providing to businesses in the region.”