Faculty of Engineering

Faculty Board

ENG06-M1

Minutes of the meeting of the Faculty Board held on 24 May 2006.

Members: Professor Chris Backhouse (Chair), Dr Lisa Bartlett, Dr Sekharjit Datta,
Professor John Dickens, Professor Phill Dickens, Dr Roger Dixon,

Dr Ashraf El-Hamalawi (ab), Dr Keith Gregory, Mr Stephen Hodgson (ab),

Dr Jane Horner, Dr Weeratunga Malalasekera, Mrs Stephanie McKeating,

Dr Les Mustoe (ab), Professor Shirley Pearce (ab), Dr Jon Petzing,

Mr Bob Reed (ab), Professor Steve Rothberg, Dr Basu Saha, Dr Ian Smout,

Dr Andy Stapley, Ms Mary Thomas, Professor Tony Thorpe, Professor Rob Thring, Dr Dave Twigg (ab), Professor Yiannis Vardaxoglou, Professor Richard Wakeman, Dr Stephen Walsh, Dr Peter Willmot (ab)

Apologies for absence: Dr Ashraf El-Hamalawi, Mr Stephen Hodgson,

Mr Bob Reed, Dr Dave Twigg, Mr Peter Willmot,

In attendance: Ms Marie Kennedy

Also present: Wg Cdr Keith Pearce

1. Minutes (ENG05-M2)

The Minutes of the last meeting of the Board were confirmed.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes:

4.1 Periodic Programme Review (item 39 refers)

Noted.

4.2 Research degree submission rates (item 40.2 refers)

NOTED:

(a) The Research Students Office believed the data, including EngD, to be correct.

(b) The AD(R) would provide data for the current year to the Directorate immediately following the Faculty Board meeting.

4.3 engCETL (item 40.3(d) refers)

HoDs had been invited to the formal launch of the CETL in June.

3. Destination statistics for 2005 graduates (ENG06-P1)

The Director of the Careers Centre was welcomed to the meeting to present the report for the Faculty.

NOTED:

.1 Data were only a snapshot picture taken six months after graduation and could not accurately reflect longer-term prospects for some students.

.2 This was the third year of the revised HESA data, enabling comparisons to be drawn with previous years.

.3 That nationally, and with the exception of Built Environment, slightly fewer engineering vacancies were reported, employers were offering fewer additional benefits, and the recruitment market was therefore more difficult for graduates.

.4 The national average engineering salary of £23,000 was based on data provided by a selection of employers, whereas the £21,400 average for LU graduates was based on information supplied voluntarily by LU students; it should not therefore be assumed that Loughborough graduates were earning less than the national average.

.5 The ‘Work and Study’ category conflated graduates employed in engineering who were working towards professional accreditation with (eg) MSc students working part-time while studying. It was therefore difficult to assess the usefulness of these data. More useful, detailed data would soon be available on the Careers Centre webpages.

.6 The Faculty profile remained strong, with unemployment slightly lower than the previous year, and a high quality of employment: 90% of Loughborough graduates were employed in the top three sectors, better than the national average.

.7 Departmental data:

Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering data showed unemployment 5% lower than the previous year; Chemical Engineering numbers were too small to be meaningful; Civil and Building Engineering was very buoyant; Electronic and Electrical Engineering had a strong profile, and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering enjoyed a high profile with employers.

.8 Placement students:

74% of students who had taken placement opportunities were employed compared with 59% of graduates who had not, and unemployment data were 3-4% compared to 10.6% respectively. These figures emphasised the importance of encouraging students to gain work experience, even in non-vocational employment.

.9 Ruth Grainger would in future liaise with the Faculty and present data the following year.

4. Report from Faculty Officers

4.1 Dean

(a) Strategic Review Working Group

NOTED:

In anticipation of the RAE and in the expectation that this investment would increase research income in the longer term, the University would recruit 20 new staff. The majority of departments would have a minimum of one new position, and in some cases, overlap with existing staff meant two staff would be in position at the census date.

(b) Research Schools

NOTED the recently appointed Directors:

Health and Life Sciences: Professor David Williams

Systems Engineering: Professor Roy Kalawsky

Sustainability: Professor Dennis Loveday

Materials Engineering: TBA

NOTED:

Mr John Harper would commence as Director on 1 June 2006.

(d) BUE

NOTED:

i. A Project Group had been appointed to investigate whether the University should validate all BUE provision as of equivalent status to that of LU.

ii. Recent discussions at Directorates and Senate had centred on how to minimise risks for LU. The University should not be financially exposed, validation should not be labour-intensive, and the expected benefits were considered to outweigh possible disadvantages.

iii. Continuing discussions were intended to ensure that LU would cover its costs.

iv. Anticipated benefits included LU recruitment of PGR students, and developing its international profile.

v. Staff recruited to date had been of good quality, committed to making the BUE successful, the British Ambassador and Head of British Council in Egypt each supported the BUE, and its governing body included eminent figures such as Sir ‘Den’ Davies and Boutras Boutras Ghali.

vi. Local demand meant that in the longer-term (perhaps ten years), and despite competition from French, German and American Universities in Egypt, student enrolment was expected to reach 10,000.

(e) Appointment and re-appointment of HoDs

NOTED:

i. The appointment of Professor Yiannis Vardaxoglou as Head of the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department for a period of three years; Professor Vardaxoglou was welcomed to the Board.

ii. The re-appointment for a further three years of Professors Tony Thorpe and Richard Wakeman as Heads of Civil and Building Engineering, and Chemical Engineering Departments, respectively.

(f) Purchase of land at Holywell

NOTED

The University purchase, with the help of an emda grant, of some land adjoining Holywell Park. This would be developed as a sports village, including headquarters of national organisations. The West Park would in future become the main University entrance.

(g) Council and Senate awayday

A joint Council/Senate awayday would take place in June to further develop the University’s five-year strategy.

4.2 Associate Dean (Research) (tabled papers)

(a) RCUK Fellowships

The University had been awarded six Fellowships, three of which were likely to be allocated to the Research School in Health and Life Sciences, two to the Chemistry Department, and one to the Mathematical Sciences Department. Three fellows would start in October 2006 and three in 2007.

(b) RAE briefing

NOTED.

NOTED:

i. That applications in the current year were not as high as had been hoped; it was possible that some applicants had written to and been rejected by individual members of staff rather than making formal applications.

ii. That international applicants should be able to obtain funding.

AGREED that it would be useful to see (i) data broken down by country and (ii) conversion rates.

ACTION: AD(R)

4.3 Associate Dean (Teaching)

(a) Royal Academy of Engineering Design Student Poster Competition, 2006

The deadline for submissions was end of June.

(b) National Student Survey, 2006

NOTED:

i. The University’s overall response rate was just 70%, 5 points lower than the previous year; national response rates were all depressed compared to 2005.

ii. Engineering departments’ response rates ranged from 62 – 73%.

iii. Results would be available in August and it was hoped they would be as positive as in 2005.

NOTED:

i. These were part of the University’s quality management and enhancement system, and Faculty Board comments, together with any strategic issues, would be submitted for consideration by Learning and Teaching Committee.

ii. Members’ concerns about the appropriateness of some DANS support had recently been discussed by EMG, and actions should ensure that in future provision better matched requirement.

iii. There was much positive to report of departments, although the summaries focused more on criticisms. General issues included:

- Part A progression rates were variable, and the University preferred to reduce the reliance of some students on the SAP.

- The English language capability of some international taught postgraduates.

- Staffing shortages in Design teaching, which had been mentioned in External Examiners’ reports.

Members’ comments should be sent to the AD(T).

ACTION: all Faculty Board members

(d) Recruitment (ENGDIR06-P3)

UK/EU UG

NOTED:

i. UK (and International) UCAS applications to the Faculty as at 24 March 2006 showed a slight downturn in most subjects except Civil Engineering. At 12 May 2006 Faculty applications were approximately 5% down, and applications across the University were 12% lower than the previous year. However, this downturn had to be seen in the light of increases in the previous two years. These data were in line with national figures.

ii. UK/EU conversions for the Faculty were slightly lower than the previous year, although variable across subjects. Possible reasons for this decrease (such as higher entry grade requirements) should be investigated in the light of:

- LU vis a vis competitors’ bursaries and scholarships offers,

- Packages offered by LU (including, eg, accommodation) as part of the total student learning experience.

The downward trend in applications was serious and required appropriate responses. The Dean would therefore convene a Working Group, comprised essentially of Directorate members, to provide actions before September 2006.

ACTION: Dean

iii. It was likely that Civil and Building Engineering would over-recruit and Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering would under-recruit; the Faculty would have to move resources appropriately to ensure it continued to maintain a balanced budget.

International UG

Applications and offers had both decreased.

International PGT

NOTED:

i. Applications had decreased but offers and UFs had increased. More significantly, the number of applications from China had declined, and higher numbers of applications from Nigeria and Pakistan did not convert to arrivals.

ii. Turn-around of applications had improved.

iii. Intake was likely to be similar to that of the previous year.

iv. The telephone campaign had begun, but competitor HEIs were already conducting similar campaigns.

The Dean thanked Admissions Tutors for improving the turn-around of applications, and encouraged all staff to do more to maintain LU’s competitive position.

(e) Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (engCETL)

NOTED:

i. The Sir Keith Green building was now completed and the first floor occupied by the engCELT.

ii. Nine CETLs based in the East Midlands would be launched in June including the engCETL.

iii. Departmental Administrators had been informed about the availability of high-quality rooms; priority would be given to Design teaching.

iv. The engCETL was recruiting two further research students; one (funded by Professional Development) would liaise with the other two Faculties to share good practice developed by the engCETL.

(f) Condonement

NOTED:

i. Departmental practices varied widely.

ii. Departmental responses were needed by the AD(T) to submit for consideration by the Learning and Teaching Committee.

ACTION: HoDs

(g) Future Learning and Teaching Strategy as part of the planned Strategic Review

A joint Senate and Council awayday would be held in June. Departmental comments and suggestions were needed by the AD(T) to submit for Senate/Council consideration.

ACTION: HoDs

5. Award of research degrees (ENG06-P4)

Degrees were awarded as follows:

Doctor of Philosophy:

A M S Ali (Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering)

P B Orebowale (Civil and Building Engineering)

J Yan “ “ “

Y Guo (Electronic and Electrical Engineering)

O E Kusmartseva “ “ “

E Touloupis “ “ “

A Yahya “ “ “

B J Stapleton (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering)

K S Wong “ “ “ “ “

Congratulations were offered to these students and their supervisors.

6. Personal Titles

Congratulations were offered to Professor John Dickens on the award of his personal chair.

7. Actions of the Associate Dean (Teaching) (ENG06-P5)

RESOLVED to ratify the actions taken by the AD(T) on behalf of the Board.

8. External Examiners’ reports

NOTED the deposition of reports.

9. Appointment of Boards of Examiners, Module Boards and

External Examiners

NOTED.

10. Curriculum Sub-Committee

NOTED.

11. Staff Student Committees

NOTED the deposition of minutes listed on the Agenda.

12. Any other business

12.1 Reward Review

All 12 submissions for promotion to Senior Lecturer had been approved without debate at a recent Reward Review, demonstrating both that staff understood how best to progress their career, and that deserving staff received promotion.

12.2 Industrial action

NOTED:

The results of three important motions put to an AUT general meeting that day were:

i. Overwhelming approval of continuation of the ‘no marking’ policy until the dispute was settled or discontinued;

ii. A 2/3 majority in favour of supporting continuing action;

iii. A 56:50 majority in favour of accepting the Vice Chancellor’s proposals, circulated in a recent email to all academic staff, for staff to provide examination question papers to allow students to sit examinations (aka ‘set and sit’).

13. Date of the next meeting

2 pm on Wednesday 8 November 2006, in the Council Chamber.

Author – Marie Kennedy

Date – June 2006