The fourth annual, and biggest ever, UKESF (UK Electronics Skills Foundation), summer school was hosted by the University of Southampton this month (7 to 11 July).

The UKESF Summer Schools provided prospective electrical and electronic engineering (EEE) students first-hand electronics experience. The five-day course consisted of practical lab work and lectures from academics from UKESF university partners (Cardiff, Edinburgh, Imperial, Manchester, Nottingham, and York) as well as academics from the University of Southampton. There were also field trips to course sponsors Thales and the Science and Technology Facilities Council; offering students the opportunity to gain practical insights into the lives of working electronic engineers across a range of disciplines including aerospace, defence, security, transport, particle physics and space technology.

James Fitzpatrick, 16, from Bournemouth School, said: “I’ve really enjoyed using the lab equipment, which we don’t normally get access to at school. I want to study computer science so it was great to see how the University works and experience going to lectures and halls of residence.â€?

Mary Bennett, 16, from Peter Symonds College, said: “It’s been an awesome few days and I’ve met lots of new people and made some new friends. I knew that I wanted to study engineering at the University of Southampton and after this week, I now know that I want to do electronic engineering.â€?

“These courses are a fantastic way for school students to learn about electronics and to encourage them into degrees valued by an industry that has a range of rewarding careers to offer,â€? said Professor Bashir Al-Hashimi, Associate Dean for Research at the University of Southampton’s Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering. “Since UKESF started, over 30 of our students have been part of the scholarship scheme, undertaking valuable work experience that has informed their career decisions,â€? he adds.

The event was sponsored by a number of world-leading companies that create or rely on electronic systems including ARM, Broadcom Foundation, CSR, Dialog Semiconductor, Imagination Technologies, Jaguar Land Rover, and Thales.

The University of Southampton is part of a research programme that has been awarded £6.4 million to develop lighter, safer, and more fuel efficient aircraft.

The HARNet (Harmonised Antennas, Radios and Networks) strategic research programme has been awarded the funding from the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP).

The project is led by Thales working with industry partner Cobham, who will invest an additional £5.2 million into the research. The programme will be aided and supported by the research of the universities of Southampton and Bradford and Queen Mary University of London.

The partnership will develop the radio techniques and technologies required to produce an Integrated Modular Communications (IMC) system for civil aircraft.

As the IMC is smaller, lighter, and offers more flexible capability, it will mean less equipment will need to be installed on new aircraft, freeing up critical space and reducing fuel burn, noise and CO² emissions. An IMC would also offer higher reliability, safety and security.

The University of Southampton is contributing innovative approaches to data networking for the IMC, which will allow aircraft to seamlessly exchange data with each other and the ground. This will allow the aircraft and their passengers to remain connected to the world, regardless of whether they are parked at an airport, taking off or landing, flying over populated areas, or flying over the ocean. Dr Rob Maunder from Electronics and Computer Science says: “This research draws upon the University's expertise in wireless communication and networking, within Electronics and Computer Science. We are very excited to be involved in this ambitious project - it offers us a fantastic opportunity for extending the reach, impact and profile of our research.â€?

Peter Hitchcock, Vice President – Avionics, Thales UK, says: “This investment will help bring to fruition the technologies and products that will tackle some of the big issues facing the aviation industry. It will also help retain valuable skills, expertise and technologies within the UK. We welcome this investment from the AGP and look forward to working with industry and academia to advance communications systems for civil aircraft.â€?

Many congratulations to over 200 new graduates of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) who received University of Southampton degrees this week.

The new graduates were joined by family and friends from around the world on Wednesday 23 July to celebrate their outstanding achievements. The ECS Graduation ceremonies for new BSc, MEng, and PhD graduates took place in the Nuffield Theatre and the Turner Sims Concert Hall, followed by Graduation receptions.

Many of the graduates had already started work, with popular destinations for ECS graduates including J P Morgan, ARM, Bloomberg, Factset, Imagination Technologies, and Micro Focus. A significant number of graduates will also be embarking on PhD degrees at Southampton and other universities in the UK and US.

Addressing the graduates, Professor Michael Butler, Professor Neil White and Senior Tutor Eric Cooke paid tribute to their excellent degree results and to their contribution to the ECS community. “It has been hard work, but having seen the impressive list of companies you are joining as you embark on your career, I am sure you will agree that it was worth it,â€? said Professor White. “The skills you have gained will remain key to future technology and business success, and you leave ECS with a very strong reputation for the breadth and depth of your knowledge, as well as your ability to use technology rigorously and imaginatively.â€?

In addition to the Zepler and Winton Capital Management prizes for outstanding academic achievements, Head of School Prizes for exceptional contributions to the ECS and University communities were awarded to Alejandro Saucedo Mora (Computer Science), and to Yusra Hussain and Arinze Ekwosimba (Electronic Engineering).

“ECS gave us more than just an excellent education,â€? said Yusra. “It gave us the opportunity to innovate, start societies and seek our potential. I will miss my time at ECS thoroughly. ECS has given me the opportunity to begin new things, network with so many different people, and take things to different levels. It has given me the confidence to enter the world with a good set of skills, ready to take on new challenges.â€?

All ECS graduates can keep in touch with alumni events and opportunities by maintaining their contact details with the University Alumni Office, and by joining the ECS LinkedIn group: ‘ECS Alumni, University of Southampton’.

Graduation photos are available on the ECS Flickr site.

For further information on this story contact Joyce Lewis; tel.023 8059 5453.

Over the last two years, the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory (TDHVL), with support from a large number of staff across the University have been developing their systems, structure and working practices to ensure that the laboratory is compliant to three key standards:

• ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management
• ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management
• BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management

Southampton researchers are aiming to improve energy efficiency, cut costs and reduce carbon emissions in the country’s non-domestic buildings.

Southampton is one of six universities (along with Imperial College London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, and Strathclyde) which will share £3m funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), on behalf of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme (RCUKEP), and £1m from the Technology Strategy Board. The research will address how to use technology, data and information, mathematics and sociology to create better energy strategies and behaviours in public and private, non-domestic buildings.

Non-domestic buildings such as offices, supermarkets, hospitals and factories account for approximately 18 per cent of UK carbon emissions and 13 per cent of final energy consumption. Planning energy saving techniques and implementing change with the cooperation of building occupants is going to be essential.

The Southampton project, which was awarded £493,000 of funding, will examine how external sensors can be used to monitor how windows, blinds and lighting are used and how occupants’ needs, such as privacy, comfort and security, can be balanced with energy management.

Project leader Professor Patrick James, a Senior Lecturer in Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton, says: “In a domestic setting, a householder is directly responsible for the energy bills and would therefore not consciously leave a window open overnight in the winter. In an office environment however, there is no financial driver for people to behave in the same energy efficient manner. While there may be a strong reason to open a window in an office (stuffiness, high temperature), the driver to close the window (energy awareness) may be very weak unless there is an additional driver such as external noise, rain or a security risk.

“This poses a real challenge to the facilities manager, ‘happy productive users’ prefer control of the façade, which is what well designed non-domestic building environments should provide, but providing this control introduces significant energy performance risk.â€?

“Instrumenting existing buildings with additional physical sensors to monitor this user behaviour is often prohibitively expensiveâ€?, continues Professor Alex Rogers, a project co-investigator based in Electronics and Computer Sciences. “We hope to be able to provide useful feedback to a buildings occupants through webpages, ambient displays and smartphones, using a small number of low-cost visible and thermal cameras monitoring the exterior of the building.â€?

Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive and former Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton, adds: “Improving energy efficiency is an important piece of the energy puzzle. Worldwide energy demand is rising, as are global temperatures and sea levels. We need to find smart solutions to how we use energy while improving the environment in which people have to work, rest or play. These projects will go a long way to help improve our understanding of what goes on in non-domestic buildings and add to the armoury at the disposal of those managing these facilities.â€?

The University of Southampton is one of a select number of UK universities whose students are eligible for the Sagentia STEM Bursary scheme.

Following the successful launch of the scheme last year, Sagentia, the leading global science, technology and product development consultancy, is offering up to 10 further bursaries of £2,500 to support science and engineering students during the academic year starting September 2014. The scheme, which also offers selected students valuable paid placements at Sagentia’s operations in various locations in the UK, is part of Sagentia’s continuing commitment to the development of science and engineering skills in the UK.

Students who are currently studying or have accepted a place on a range of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) courses at the University of Southampton, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Bath, Loughborough University, University of Strathclyde and University of Surrey are all eligible for the bursary.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall, Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton, says: “We are delighted and very proud to be a partner university in the Sagentia bursary. As a global leader in technology development and consultancy, Sagentia recognises the importance of the high-quality undergraduate education provided by the University of Southampton, and the scholarships and internship opportunities will be a great incentive to our students, as well as a great boost to the development of the UK's expertise in science and engineering.â€?

Sagentia is looking for applications from young people studying chemistry, computer science, electronic engineering, engineering, geology, geosciences, life sciences, mathematics, materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, product design or similar subjects. A proportion of the bursaries will be allocated to students from households with an annual income of less than £42,000.

Martyn Ratcliffe, Chairman at Sagentia, says: “Strong science and engineering skills are the driving force of Sagentia’s success and will play a vital role in creating sustainable economic growth in the UK. We are delighted to be able to offer financial support and professional experience to the next generation of innovators for the second year. The first year of the bursary scheme highlighted the deep wells of talent among the UK’s undergraduate population. If the dedication, skills and commitment displayed by our bursary recipients is an indication, we have every reason to be confident in our future.â€?

As part of the scheme, Sagentia gives preferential consideration to bursary recipients for both its 10-week summer placements and its one-year placements. Having been awarded a bursary in 2013, Sam Johnstone is this year joining Sagentia as a graduate in Mechanical Systems and Design. “The Sagentia bursary offered a great opportunity to help finance my University degree, while becoming involved with a company that is highly relevant to my future career plans. Receiving the bursary has given me the freedom to pursue my academic studies in more detail, and helped me fund my engineering-related hobbies. The graduate role is a fantastic opportunity to combine the technical engineering skills I have gained with the challenge of consultancy work.â€?

Bath University student, Leanne Yip Heung Win, is joining Sagentia on a one-year placement in Mechanical Systems and Design: “There are very few technology and product development companies that provide bursaries. The Sagentia STEM bursary has given me the opportunity to further my potential without a financial burden. I applied for the one-year placement because of the support that Sagentia gives students and because of its own successful position. The placement gives me an opportunity to gain vital engineering experience and be part of a truly innovative team.â€?

The closing date for applications is 19 September 2014. Information about the scheme is available on the Sagentia website: www.sagentia.com/careers/sagentia-stem-bursary

ECS is sponsoring the first European tech conference for students and recent graduates.

EF UnHacked is a day-long event at Microsoft’s Cardinal Place building in London’s Victoria on Saturday 27 September. Student technologists and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to take part in panel sessions, workshops, keynotes and networking sessions, and to learn more about the practical and commercial applications of technology and enterprise.

Student participants will be able to gain valuable insights from guest speakers and to connect with students from across Europe. Speakers confirmed so far include Dan Crow (Songkick), Ben Medlock (SwiftKey), and Avid Larizadeh (Boticca & Partners).

Entrepreneur First is a seed investment programme that selects purely on the basis of technical talent. Around 50 graduates from computer science and engineering backgrounds are selected to take part in the programme each year. They are then provided with funding and support, enabling them to work in teams within the cohort developing an entrepreneurial idea.

This year three ECS Electronics graduates have joined the EF cohort and will be working on developing new products over the next six months. All ECS and FPSE students are eligible to attend EF Unhacked; apply through the website at http://www.joinef.com/ef-unhacked.html

For further information contact Joyce Lewis; tel.023 8059 5453

Professor Tariq Durrani, ECS Alumnus, is one of three candidates in the election for the prestigious role of IEEE President 2015.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. Through its global membership of over 430,000, IEEE is a leading authority on areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. It is known and celebrated for its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.

Professor Durrani, who is based in the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, is a Petition candidate for the position of President, and has an outstanding record of service to the organization, including long periods of office on some of the major boards. He has also been President of the IEEE Signal Processing Society and of the Engineering Management Society, and he held the position of Vice-President Education Activites Board.

All voting members of the IEEE on the record on 30 June this year, and holding the membership grade of Graduate Student Member (GSM) or higher, are eligible to vote for IEEE President Elect. Ballot papers have now been mailed to all those eligible to vote.

The IEEE Elections website contains full information on the Election as well as statements of experience and intent from Professor Durrani and the other two candidates standing, Professor Barry L Shoop and Frederick C Mintzer.

Professor Neil White, Head of Electronics and Computer Science, commented: ‘ECS is honoured to have our alumnus, Professor Tariq Durrani, accepted as a candidate in the IEEE Presidential election. This is an important role in the leadership of the global engineering community and Tariq’s credentials and experience would enable him to be an outstanding President. I urge all our alumni who are voting members of the IEEE to support Tariq in his bid.’

Professor Durrani (pictured here at the ECS Alumni Reception held in London in May), graduated MSc Electronics (1967) and PhD (1970) from the University of Southampton. He says in his candidate statement that he will work ceaselessly to support Members and their Careers, maintain the IEEE lead in technologies and standards development, promote innovation in publications, and support globalization and outreach.

ECS graduates have recorded outstanding success in the 2013 jobs market, according to results of the official DLHE survey (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education), released this month.

Of the 276 students who responded, 100 per cent of those in work recorded that they were in professional and/or managerial graduate roles. Popular destinations for ECS graduates (covering Computer Science, Electronics and Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in Organisations), were ARM, J P Morgan, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Imagination Technologies, FactSet, Bloomberg, and the armed forces.

Work locations covered the whole of the UK and beyond, with a heavy concentration in London, and in Southampton and the surrounding area. Over 30 per cent of ECS graduates recorded starting salaries of £25-£30,000, with over 20 per cent starting their graduate job with salaries of £30-35,000, and around 15 per cent lucky enough to earn £35-50,000+. The most common job roles were as programmers and software developers, closely followed by electronics, electrical and design engineers. Fourteen per cent of students continued to higher study for an MSc or PhD degree.

‘These are outstanding results,’ said Professor Neil White, Head of Electronics and Computer Science. ‘ECS has always placed a high priority on producing excellent and well-trained graduates for industry and research, and our graduates’ success in 2013 is a great endorsement of our education programme and our strong reputation with industry, as well as of our high-profile careers and employability activities which benefit all our students.’

The DLHE survey is carried out annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency and results are used to compile official university league tables.

Photonics Day is a regular annual event in the University calendar in which the very latest photonics research is reviewed through a number of oral and poster presentations. This year, the event is being re-launched by the Zepler Institute as a celebration of the truly multidisciplinary nature of photonics research and will feature presentations from across the Zepler Institute’s constituent research groups in ECS, Physics & Astronomy and the Optical Research Centre, as well as collaborators from across the University, including the Institute for Life Sciences and Chemistry.

Student and post-doc poster presentations

There will be opportunities for students to showcase their work by giving short oral and poster presentations, where there will be cash prizes on offer for the best entries. Post-docs are also invited to present a poster. Abstracts are now being accepted, for an application form please contact r.churchill@soton.ac.uk (deadline for abstracts 1st September).

The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies

We are pleased to announce that the day will be opened by European Physical Society President, John Dudley who will give an invited talk in his role as Champion of the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015).

The day will include morning and afternoon refreshments and a buffet lunch. A full programme will be available shortly on this website. Registered delegates will receive full joining instructions in advance of the event.