Faculty of Engineering

Faculty Board

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Minutes of the 40^th meeting of the Faculty Board held on 27 October 2004.

Members: Professor C J Backhouse (Chair), Mr C J Bigger, Dr P M Carrillo, Dr A R J Dainty (ab), Dr S Datta, Mr J G Dickens, Professor P Dickens, Dr A El-Hamalawi, Mr O R Folkerd, Dr K Gregory, Dr J L Horner, Professor M G Kong (ab), Dr L R Mustoe (ab), Dr S T Newman (ab), Dr G J Page, Professor C D Rielly, Professor S J Rothberg (ab), Mrs C E Siemieniuch, Professor V V Silberschmidt, Professor P R Smith (ab), Dr I K Smout (ab), Dr A Spencer, Dr E S Tarleton, Ms M E Thomas (ab), Professor A Thorpe (ab), Professor R H Thring, Professor R J Wakeman (ab), Professor D J Wallace (ab), Dr P Willmot, Professor M A Woodhead (ab)

Apologies for absence: Dr A R J Dainty, Professor M G Kong, Dr L R Mustoe, Dr S T Newman, Professor S J Rothberg, Professor P R Smith, Mr I K Smout and Professor R J Wakeman

The Dean welcomed new members to the meeting, and thanked retired members for their service.

22. Minutes

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The Minutes of the 39th meeting of the Board were confirmed and signed by

the Chair.

23. Dean’s report

.1 The Committee on Structure of the Academic Year had provided an

alternative of finishing the academic year one week earlier or later; the Board

accepted the Directorate’s model to finish one week later. The incoming Vice

Chancellor may also wish to express a view on the deliberations.

.2 The Strategic Working Group (formerly the Moderation Working Party) had

recommended:

i. Establishment of virtual research schools, to co-ordinate current ad hoc collaboration between departments, and promote a critical mass in key research areas. Some issues remain to be resolved concerning responsibilities of heads of research schools vis a vis heads of academic departments.

ii. Establishment of a University-wide graduate school, to include improved support for PG and international students.

iii. Abolition of Faculty Boards. Joint meetings might be held with Directorate, using closed sessions where necessary, or Directorate minutes might be published.

iv. No changes were at present proposed regarding departmental membership of faculties.

v. Schools incorporating 2-3 departments would only be established where there would be clear operational benefit.

These proposals had yet to be approved by Senate and Council. There should be no effect on the RAE.

.3 The maximum possible tuition fees would be introduced from 2006, if the

University’s proposed Access Agreement was approved by the Office for Fair

Access (OFFA). To be accepted, the Agreement must include a significant

number of means-tested bursaries worth £1,200-£1,500. Departments would

be able to offer scholarships, costs to be borne by the department.

.4 The University would be represented on the Stirling Group tour to Singapore

and Malaysia in March by Professor Thring.

.5 300,000 Z-cards had been distributed (individually) to students taking GCSE

Mathematics in UK schools, a proven means of raising Loughborough’s

Profile.

.6 Congratulations were offered to Professor Rothberg and Professor Kong on

their personal chairs.

24. Associate Dean (Research)’s report

Tabled paper

.1 The University was likely to withdraw from the New Route PhD, which

involved few departments, and recruited very few students. However, the

training element made it an attractive route for some international students and their sponsors, especially those from some Middle Eastern countries, and it was not clear that the University had really promoted it. The Board was not convinced that the New Route PhD should be abolished, and believed that further thought should be given to its benefits. The Department of Chemical Engineering was willing to champion a replacement if funding were available.

.2 Additional HEFCE funding had been made available for Rewarding and

Developing (academic) Staff, with the probability of a similar amount being

available next year.

.3 EPSRC funding enabled recruitment across the Faculty of six enhanced

studentships, effectively worth £20,000 each, with similar monies in the

following academic year. UK/EU students would be recruited through

national advertising, with current Loughborough finalists equally eligible.

25. Associate Dean (Teaching)’s report

Tabled paper

.1 Undergraduate recruitment data showed that both University and Faculty

were largely on target, the latter partly by concessions and changed course

offers. The home intake was buoyant and stable. Overshoots in some SSH

departments meant that approximately 400 students were being taught on a

fees-only basis. The University was therefore seeking to reduce its 2005-06

target.

The number of international applications had been very high but actual entry

static. The number of no-shows were likely to be affected by (a) most

competitors accepting lower standards of English language qualification, (b)

Singapore becoming a regional provider, (c) Malaysian students now needing

visas. Australia and USA intakes had declined more than the UK. In the

longer term, the Faculty did not seek to increase its overall undergraduate

international target significantly except for certain departments that currently

had few international undergraduates.

The Faculty’s full-time UK/EU taught postgraduate intake had been static at

approximately 70 for the last few years and was therefore on target. The

international full-time PGT had risen significantly in recent years in

applications, acceptances and intake, but there had also been a large number

of no-shows this year. Engineering had been particularly affected by no-

shows from Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana, where students were using their

visas to obtain work. Visa problems for Chinese students had not affected

the University. The market was volatile and caution should be exercised

about over-reliance. It was difficult to obtain and interpret data on part-time

PGTs.

Engineering applications for 2005 entry were higher than usual at this time of

Year, probably because of a rise in on-line applications.

.2 Departments had been briefed about the new National Student Survey (NSS)

which would take place in February 2005, involving all undergraduate

finalists. Results would inevitably feed into national league tables of

universities, and staff were encouraged to continue best practice such as

returning coursework on time and with appropriate feedback, and to meet with

their personal tutees. Most Loughborough students were positive about their

experiences here, and it was hoped there would be a high response rate.

.3 The report of the Institutional Audit was largely positive, and its

recommendations would be taken up by PDQ as appropriate.

26. Cranwell accreditation report

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The programme was run by the RAF for its officers, who had complained of a

heavy workload caused by having to meet both University and RAF criteria.

The quality of students was high.

27. Award of research degrees

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Degrees were awarded as follows:

Doctor of Philosophy

Z A Abdul Karim (Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering)

X T Deng (Electronic and Electrical Engineering)

A M Thomson “ “ “ “

S S Dani (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering)

A G Gunendran “ “ “

A Jhugroo “ “ “

F M Y Othman “ “ “

It had been gratifying to see a high number awarded at summer graduation

ceremonies.

28. Actions of the Associate Dean (Teaching)

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It was RESOLVED to ratify the actions taken by the AD(T).

29. Staff Student Committees

The Board noted the deposition of minutes listed on the Agenda.

30. Membership 2004/05

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Noted.

31. Constitution and powers

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Noted.

32. Representation on other bodies

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Noted.

33. Degree congregation

Noted.

34. Calendar of meetings

Noted.

35. Any other business

.1 There would be a fly-past by a Eurofighter on 28 October to coincide with the

signing by the Vice Chancellor of an agreement with the Defence Technical

Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS).

.2 Dr El-Hamalawi agreed to represent the Faculty on the Ethical Advisory

Committee.