Engineering students flying high

Sir Roger Bone, President of Boeing UK, [centre, front row] with staff and students from the Faculty of Engineering Ann Pethers

Press release issued: 17 November 2009

Six Bristol University engineering students have won awards, presented by Boeing, for the exceptional quality of their work. The awards mark the beginning of a new relationship between the University and the company.

Six Bristol University engineering students have won awards for the exceptional quality of their work. The awards, presented by Boeing, mark the beginning of a new relationship between the University and one of the world’s leading aerospace companies.

Four of the students won prizes, worth £500 each, for the best final-year or MSc projects; the remaining two both won a highly prestigious Boeing scholarship worth £3,000.

The students were chosen because of their consistently excellent academic performance and the quality of their project work. The students - Rafic Ajaj, William Costin, Richard Vigars, Corin Rathbone, Ross Turner and Alexey Likhoded - were presented with their awards by the President of Boeing UK, Sir Roger Bone, at a ceremony held in the Faculty of Engineering last week [Tuesday 10 November].

Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Roger Bone said: ”These students have all shown talent and imagination in abundance and are highly deserving of these awards; they are exactly what industry needs.

“We want to establish a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between Boeing and the University that helps both parties achieve their strategic and business objectives.”

Dr Sally Heslop, Graduate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, commented: “The University has a strong track record in attracting the top students making these prize winners the very best. We hope that working with Boeing will help further enrich our curriculum for students.”

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Nick Lieven, welcomed Boeing to the Faculty and added: “The University is recognised as a world wide centre of excellence in many sectors but particularly in aerospace and we look forward to developing our future relationship with Boeing.”

The University has been chosen by Boeing as one of a select cohort of universities that will support the development of its intellectual capital and provide continuing education for its employees.

Further information

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Bristol has attracted over £75m in industrial and governmental research awards over the past five years, and has spent over £20m on infrastructure and laboratory equipment that will keep it at the forefront of teaching and research.

The Faculty comprises six departments and many research centres and groups.

Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, with capabilities in rotorcraft, electronic and defence systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. The company extends to customers in 145 countries around the world, and they are the number one US exporter in terms of sales.

Please contact Joanne Fryer for further information.