The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is still recruiting students for its one year Postgraduate Taught Masters courses, as follows –

• MSc Educational Multimedia
• MSc Advanced Wireless Communications – 
• MSc Electronics
• MSc Telecommunications
• MSc Computer and Electronic Security
  
  

For further information contact Gemma O'Donnell
 - email: g.odonnell@qub.ac.uk
 - tel:     +44 (028) 9097 4618

Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, congratulates the scholarship recipients – pictured left to right, Professor Ellen Douglas-Cowie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, Stuart Kerr, Paula Dunlop, Sir Reg Empey, David Beckett and Susan Kinane, Managing Director of ESB Independent Energy.

Boost for engineering students as ESB Independent Energy and Queen’s scholars announced.

Three of Northern Ireland’s top engineering students are the first to benefit from a new partnership between Queen’s University and the business energy supplier ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE) after being named the inaugural recipients of ESBIE scholarship awards.
The partnership sees ESBIE providing scholarships to students from the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme on an annual basis, with Paula Dunlop from Belfast, David Beckett from Newtownabbey and Stuart Kerr from Waringstown presented scholarships for 2010/11 by the Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey.  The package includes financial support, ongoing mentoring and practical experience through summer and corporate placements at ESB International’s many energy sites throughout Europe.

Commenting on the initiative, Susan Kinane, Managing Director, ESBIE, said, “I’d like to congratulate Paula, David and Stuart on becoming the inaugural ESBIE scholars.  I hope they find the financial, and more importantly, the practical support provided as part of the scholarship beneficial to their personal and career development. 
“As a company ESBIE is committed to supporting the business market here in Northern Ireland, not only through our competitive and tailored energy services but also by bringing our experience to bear in areas such as the renewable sector. This will ensure Northern Ireland, which has enormous potential, is at the cutting edge of business economies in the near future.
“Our partnership with Queen’s is a reflection of that commitment by helping support the quality of students that enter into the workplace here.  After all, it is through nurturing and developing our young people that we can help to build a strong and robust economy.”
“Queen’s has a proven track record in developing an excellent calibre of students and we see this as a mutually beneficial partnership.  The financial and mentoring support we provide as well as access to our various engineering operations, including emerging businesses in the sustainable sector, will, we believe, be a great aid in the development of the students.”
Queen’s ranks in the top ten in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering in University League Tables and is also a member of the prestigious UK Power Academy which comprises the top seven Universities in the UK for Electrical Power Engineering. 
Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen’s currently has one of the highest employment rates for any degree, with over 90% of graduates employed in a graduate level job within six months of completing their degree. 
Dr Tim Littler, who oversees the management of scholarships within the School, said, “The scholarship partnership with ESBIE promises to deliver significant benefits for Electrical and Engineering Students at Queen’s through a multi-faceted support package through an annual bursary and book allowance, comprehensive placement training, industrial mentoring and the prospect of a professional career with ESBIE after graduation.

“The joint scheme has been founded on a strong technical synergy between the two partners which embraces ESBIE innovation and global developments and the international reputation for high quality teaching and research at Queen’s University.”

The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science wishes to appoint three new professors to strongly enhance its international reputation for research in the following areas:

• Secure Information Technology
• Knowledge and Data Engineering
• High Performance and Distributed Computing
  
  

Full details on each professorship can be viewed by clicking on the relevant link above.

The deadline for applications is mid-day on Monday 4 October.

Still considering your employment opportunities?

The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science invites applications for five DEL fully funded 3 year research studentships funded by the Department of Employment and Learning. 

Don't miss your final chance to secure a DEL fully funded PhD Studentship commencing in October 2010.

These DEL fully funded 3 year PhD studentships, cover UK/EU fees and provide a maintenance grant of approx £13,590 for 2010/11.

Please note that DEL studentships are only open to eligible UK and EU applicants.

Click here for full details.

Over 120 academics from approximately 30 different countries are to attend the 8th in a series of International conferences on the Theory and Practice of Automated Timetabling. The International Series of Conferences  is held bi-annually as a forum for both researchers and practitioners of timetabling to exchange ideas.

Whether it is sporting events, educational institutions, transportation or employee management the construction of efficient timetables which provide the maximum in way of flexibility for all constituent parts is as important as it is challenging. An increasingly important aspect within organisations is an automated approach which maximises all aspects of resource usage. In doing so a number of quantitative and qualitative challenges must be dealt with from both a technical and practical perspective. The Conference’s aims are timely in that resource management, innovations and efficiencies are currently being sough within both the private and public sectors.

An important aim of the Conference is to align the needs of practitioners and the objectives of researchers. This is achieved through the presentation and application of leading edge research techniques. Focusing on an important institutional resource usage application area, the conference is aimed at  the development and application of Artificial Intelligent Search techniques to large scale real world problems.  This multi-disciplinary research area comes under a number of research headings within Universities across the word i.e. Computer Science, Operational Research and the closely related Management Science.

Queen's has already developing a leading reputation this area with individuals having been asked to lead and be part of a number of related national and international initiatives.  The fact that we have a spin out Company, EventMAP, also focused on bringing research and practice together gives staff within the School a unique and respected insight to the area.

Professor George Irwin

Professor George Irwin of the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's University, has been awarded the 2010 Sir Harold Hartley Medal in recognition of his long-standing involvement with control engineering and, more recently, the exploitation of condition monitoring and control engineering methods for batch processes.

The Hartley Medal, which is silver, commemorates the work of Sir Harold Hartley, KCVO, FRS, a former President of the Institute of Measurement and Control, is awarded annually to one person whose contribution to the technology of measurement and control is considered to be of outstanding merit. The medal will be presented to Professor Irwin in October at this year's Presidential Address and Learned Awards Evening at the Royal Society, London. 
 
Professor Irwin is Director of Research in Intelligent Systems and Control. His work lies in the area of nonlinear modelling and control of dynamical systems. He commented 'I am deeply honoured by this award from the Trustees of the Institute of Measurement and Control. Automatic control is an exciting and stimulating field whose principles underpin engineering, the physical and biological sciences and beyond. Thus in recent years I have been fortunate to have worked on applications as diverse as monitoring faults in automotive engines to reduce emissions through to the detection of heart attacks for lab-on-a-chip technology. My field is truly inter-disciplinary and this award recognizes the excellence of the wonderful team I have worked with over the past 30 years'.

Prof Peter Fleming, Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Systems Science (right) presenting Prof George Irwin with his certificate.

The International Journal of Systems Science has Highly Commended a paper by Dr Kang Li and Prof George W Irwin from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's.

The paper entitled 'Model selection approaches for non-linear system identification: a review', jointly with collaborators from Southampton and Reading, contained algorithmic and application results from Queens.

Certificates were presented to the authors at the American Control Conference in Baltimore, USA by the editor-in-chief Professor Peter Fleming.

Applications are invited for two prestigious EPSRC PhD studentships, commencing in October 2010, researching and developing a revolutionary new approach to realising ultra-high embedded Digital Signal Processing (DSP) (e.g. 4G MIMO) and image processing (e.g. H.264 MPEG) applications on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs).

The studentship includes University fees (UK/EU only) and a maintenance allowance for 3 years, commencing at approximately £14,000 for 2010/11.

Click here for further information on these projects.

The deadline for submission of applications is 13th August 2010.

Caron Malone in Antarctica with Robert Swan, the first person to walk both the North and South Pole

Caron Malone, an undergraduate student in electrical and electronic engineering in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's, has recently returned from the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica.

Caron's journey began when she entered a competition run by nPower along with a group of students from her course around the theme of sustainability.

To find out how she got from that to standing in Antarctica with the renowned explorer and environmentalist, Robert Swan above, read on…

David Procter, winner of the Megaw Memorial Lectures, pictured with his invention

David Procter from Bangor, a final year electrical and electronic engineering student at Queen's University Belfast, has won the IET Megaw Memorial Lectures prize for a presentation on his final year project.

Hosted by the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology), David competed against other finalists from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science by delivering a short presentation and demonstration entitled 'Haptic Interface for Geographic Information Services.' 

David's project involved developing a belt that uses GPS to direct visually impaired people to a particular point by vibrating in different spots around the belt as an indication of the direction they should move in.

Chair of the judging panel Professor Brendan Fox, commented that "David delivered a very clear and concise presentation and this, combined with a live practical demonstration, put him ahead in the competition."  David is a past pupil of Bangor Grammar School and is in his final year of the three year BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at Queen's.  

The judging panel at the event also included Mark Johnston, Senior Planning and Design Manager, BT Ireland and Mr Tim Courtney, Senior System Engineer at Thales, both of whom are graduates of electrical and electronic engineering at Queen's.

Caron Malone, Craig McCarter and Paul Magee who all made it through to the top 10 of the UK Undergraduate of the Year competition

Three students from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's have made it through to the top ten of the UK Undergraduate of the Year competition.  Caron Malone, an electrical and electronic engineering student, was shortlisted in two categories, Systems and Electronics Undergraduate of the Year and Engineering Undergraduate of the Year.  Craig McCarter and Paul Magee, both studying computer science, were shortlisted in the IT and Computer Science Undergraduate of the Year category.

All three students are currently working with companies during their placement year as part of their course.  Caron is on placement with NIE, Craig with Liberty IT and Paul with Equiniti ICS.  Both Caron and Craig are also being sponsored through their courses with their placement companies.

The undergraduate of the year competition is run by TARGETjobs and entrants were required to go through various stages, including answering a series of questionnaires and delivering a presentation in order to be shortlisted. 

Professor Stan Scott, Director of Education within the School, commented 'I am delighted that three of our undergraduates were shortlisted for UK undergraduate of the year. They are all very hard working and diligent so deserve this recognition.  It is good to see that our students can not only compete with, but rank among the best, in the whole of the UK.'

Attention all final year Students

Would you like to have the opportunity to develop your final year project into a commercially viable product? 
If so, read on .....

An exciting new initiative has been launched in partnership with the Institution of Engineering Designers aimed at fostering the commercialisation of student design projects.

The Innovation Hothouse will showcase the very best final year student projects and provide an opportunity for those involved to present them to a panel of experts made up of venture capitalists and business angels who will offer advice and potentially funding to develop the project into a commercially viable product.

Entries are welcome from all engineering and product design degree courses in the UK. Students will be invited to attend a regional event to present their project for initial assessment during June 2010. One entry from each region will be selected for the final which will be held in London on 21 September 2010 as part of the London Design Festival.

Further details on this initiative, the dates and locations of the regional events, the judging criteria that will be used and an on-line application form are available from www.raeng.org.uk/innhothouse

In addition to the possibility of securing development funding or venture capital to take their project forward, each applicant will be offered free one year graduate membership of the Institution of Engineering Designers and an attendance certificate for their CPD record. All student participants will have their travel fees to both the regional events and London final reimbursed.

Click here for the Innovation Hothouse poster.

Mr Andreas Goss, Chief Executive of Siemens UK presents Lisa with her medal

Lisa McClean, a student on the electrical and electronic engineering degree at Queen's University Belfast, has been awarded the Sir William Siemens medal for being one of the top engineering students in the UK.  Mr Andreas Goss, Chief Executive of Siemen's UK, presented Lisa with her medal at a recent awards ceremony in London, as well as a cheque for £300.

Lisa, who hails from Kilcoo outside Newry and is a past pupil of Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, was one of seventeen students chosen from universities across the UK to receive the prestigious Siemens medal.   The criteria set for the award required an excellent academic record, together with significant involvement in industry.
 
Lisa was nominated for her award by Dr John Morrow, lecturer in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's. 

Dr Morrow commented that "Lisa was nominated for the Sir William Siemens Medal as the best student majoring in Electrical Engineering in the penultimate year of the MEng Degree course at Queen's University, Belfast.

"During her degree Lisa has also gained a lot of industrial experience through Summer and a year long placement spent with NIE, who are sponsoring her during her studies."   Lisa has secured a job with NIE when she graduates.

The Siemens medal programme was launched in 1993 to celebrate the Company's 150th anniversary and with the aim of raising the profile of science and technology within schools and universities. 

The first Sir William Siemen's medal was awarded back in 1883 by London University's Imperial College.  In keeping with tradition, the new medals are struck using the die of the original medal by the Royal Mint.

Students from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science recently received City & Guilds Senior Awards at Licentiateship level for skills and competencies gained during work placements at home and abroad. 

Over 30 students from the School received their awards at a special ceremony held in Queen's University on March 10th.

Students from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science who were recently presented with their City & Guilds Senior Awards at Licentiateship level, pictured with Dr Robert Cahill from the School

A leading Queen's academic has stressed how important it is for students to have a head start in today's challenging job market.
 
Professor Tony Gallagher, Head of the University's School of Education, was speaking at the ceremony today (Wednesday 10 March).
 
He said: "Queen's was one of the first universities in the UK to become involved in the City & Guilds scheme. It is an investment that has always yielded rich returns for our students and is even more important these days as the economic downturn has made the jobs market more competitive.
 
"City & Guilds enables students to acquire skills such as team working, good communication skills, creativity and leadership which, alongside their academic ability, will help them greatly."
 
This year 194  students in total from Queen's received Licentiateship Diplomas for skills gained during work placements with a range of employers in the public and private sectors, including IT and engineering companies, financial institutions and charities.

Staff and students from the School recently came together for a multi-cultural celebration, including celebrating the Chinese New Year which this year is the year of the tiger. 

The entertainment included a colourful array of performances from Chinese Lion, Indian and flamenco dancers. 

Those who attended were also able to savour food from many corners of the world, including Chinese, Indian, American and of course Irish cuisine…which came in the form of Irish stew!

ESB Independent Energy is adding its support to respective calls from the Education and Employment and Learning Ministers to emphasise the importance of promoting the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

The business energy supplier is seeking applications from Queen's students before the 26th March deadline as part of its scholarship programme with the University's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and is challenging other businesses to follow the positive steps being taken to drive participation in these key areas.

Susan Kinane, ESBIE Managing Director commented:
"STEM subjects represent the core of an articulated and skilful future workforce.  Equipping our young people with science and technology-based skills is crucial to delivering a strong economic future for Northern Ireland and it is encouraging to see action being taken at government level to promote the uptake of STEM subjects at schools and universities. 

"At ESBIE we believe that businesses should play their part by supporting initiatives that help position these key subject areas as the central focus of our economy.  Through our scholarship programme with Queen's University we are supporting the delivery of STEM subjects and I'd like to challenge further businesses to play their part in ensuring the future economic well-being of Northern Ireland."

In October 2009 ESBIE formed a new partnership with Queen's university to provide scholarships to four students from the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme on an annual basis. The package includes financial support, ongoing mentoring and provides practical experience through summer and corporate placements throughout ESB International's many energy sites across Europe.

Asidua has awarded two of its prestigious scholarships to two students from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's.

Barry Haughey and Matthew Wilson joined current Asidua scholars Niall McAllister and Andrew Ruddell from the School, at a gala ceremony held in Asidua's Belfast headquarters.

Pictured left to right are Dr Pat Corr and Dr John McAllister (QUB), Matthew Wilson, Angela Canavan (Asidua), Barry Haughey and Dr Phil Hanna (QUB)

"Asidua is delighted to welcome Barry and Matthew in joining the expanding Asidua Scholarship Programme." said Angela Canavan, Asidua Chief Operations Officer.  "Despite the downturn in the economy, Asidua is once again proud to continue its investment in the future of Northern Ireland with the extension of its Scholarship Programme." Angela continued; "The Asidua Scholarship Programme gives students like Barry and Matthew a helping hand, both professionally and financially, throughout their university courses and provides them with the best possible chance of achieving their full potential." 

Representatives from Queen's University Belfast extended their congratulations to the 2009/2010 scholarship winners.  "Queen's warmly congratulates both Matthew and Barry on their receipt of a prestigious Asidua scholarship." said Dr Philip Hanna, Assistant Director of Education for the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen's University Belfast. "The dynamic and progressive ethos within Asidua will, without doubt, enable our students to develop and foster skills of great benefit to their respective degrees". Phillip continued; "We would also like to thank Asidua for offering these scholarships, investing in the future, and providing three lucky students with an outstanding opportunity for growth and development."
 
When asked for comment on their recent award, the scholars were visibly delighted.  Barry Haughey from Queen's University Belfast commented; "The Asidua Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity, for which I am very grateful. I'm really looking forward to beginning my work experience with Asidua this summer."  Fellow Queen's University Belfast scholarship winner, Matthew Wilson also agreed; "The Asidua scholarship is a brilliant opportunity and has encouraged me to work harder at developing my IT skills."

The scholar's outstanding achievements were also shared by family members and friends, who were in attendance at the recent award ceremony.  "I was very impressed with the warm relationship that exists between the management and employees I have met from Asidua, it certainly gives the impression of a 'family' environment" said Ian Wilson, father of scholarship winner Matthew.  "I am delighted that my son has been given an opportunity to be involved with this prestigious organisation." he continued.

The new Asidua Scholars, who have since returned to university to complete the first year of their studies, will commence their work placements with Asidua this summer. 

A packed Whitla Hall for the Engineering Parents' Evening

On Monday 9th November the Schools of Electronics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering held a joint Engineering Parents' Evening in the Whitla Hall at Queen's.  Over 700 parents and their children (mainly fifth and sixth formers) from across Northern Ireland came along to find out why someone should consider doing a degree in engineering and the many career options available. 

Professor Roger Woods and Professor John Orr gave an overview of degrees in electrical & electronic engineering and mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and produce design respectively.  The event was supported by The Caterpillar Foundation and FG Wilson, a Caterpillar Company, and featured presentations from FG Wilson staff.  Recent engineering graduates also spoke about why they chose to do engineering and their experiences to date.

Professor John Orr commented "Parents play an important role in influencing the subjects their children choose to study. This event ensures that parents are well informed about the broad range of opportunities available and the subject choices required to pursue a career in engineering. "A workforce with STEM qualifications is vital for the sustained growth of Northern Ireland's economy, and Queen's offers scholarships of £1,000 for all students gaining three As at A-level and enrolling on STEM subjects at the University." A spokesperson for FG Wilson said "This is an excellent example of how local companies can support the communities in which they operate and further enhances the links between the University and FG Wilson."

Harry Ritchie from Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen's demonstrates renewable energy to Michael Davidson,a student at Royal Belfast Academical Institute (RBAI)

Andrew Bolster, a student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen's, demonstrates 'virtual surgery' to George Mathers and Adam Hilditch from Ballyclare High School		Dr George Goussetis from Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Queen's demonstrates mobile phone testing to Euan Camlin from Ballyclare High School

The University subsequently held another smaller Engineering Parents' Evening in St Columb's College in Derry.  Attended by almost 150 people, they also heard about the range of engineering degrees on offer at Queen's as well as from a representative of ESBIE who operate Coolkeeragh Power Station in the city.

Ballyclare HS were triumphant yet again in the NI regional heat of the global robotics competition, FIRST Lego League.  Over 140 local young scientists competed to make the 'right moves' at W5 in Belfast on Tuesday 24 November.  Sponsored by the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's, this is the second year Ballyclare HS have won the competition, which was introduced to Northern Ireland last year for the first time.

Ballyclare HS celebrate winning the FIRST Lego League, along with their teachers and also Allister Lee and John Busch from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's (in red). Karen Creighton (pictured left), an electrical and electronic engineering student in the School, acted as the team's mentor.

The annual competition invites secondary school pupils to design, build and programme a willing robot that must perform a series of challenging tasks. Contestants also have to complete a research project and presentation on the ‘Smart Move' theme which will focus on everyday transportation.

The League aims to introduce children aged from nine to 16 to the fun of solving real-world problems by applying the principles of mathematics, science and technology.

The partners are hoping the initiative will also help achieve the Programme for Government's target to increase the number of students involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects by 25 per cent by 2015.

They said: "LEGO League offers a unique opportunity for our young people to develop their creativity, and their teambuilding and problem-solving skills. It also introduces them to the wonders of science and innovation and encourages them to think about the possibility of pursuing a career in STEM subjects. Above all, it helps them to learn that learning science can open up a fascinating world for them and that it has huge practical benefits to their everyday lives."

The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's also sponsored Shimna Integrated College to take part in the competition.

The semiconductor and nanotechnology research cluster secured two of the four tri-partite US-Ireland R&D partnerships announced at a recent event hosted by the US Ambassador to Ireland in Dublin.  The event saw Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey gather with Southern Minister for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary and Ambassador Dan Rooney to announce the partnerships on behalf of the US-Ireland R&D Partnership.

Pictured at the US-Ireland event hosted by the US ambassador in the Phoenix Park were (l-r): Dr David McNeill; Minister for Employment and Learning Sir Reg Empey; Dr Neil Mitchell; and Professor Chris Elliott.

US Ambassador Dan Rooney welcomed these partnerships, saying: "These successful projects have come through a US review process that is the international gold standard for research excellence. This clearly demonstrates the high quality of advanced research across the island of Ireland and adds greatly to its reputation as a centre of innovation that can compete on an international stage."

Sir Reg Empey welcomed the announcement, saying: "The US-Ireland R&D Partnership is a ground-breaking agreement that will help to stimulate higher levels of innovation in Northern Ireland and accelerate both economic development and leading edge medical research. By collaborating, we are pooling our respective research expertise and leveraging additional investment to support projects that will benefit each of our jurisdictions and make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of all our people."

Southern Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary said: "We see the US-Ireland R&D Partnership as an important mechanism for achieving high growth and helping bring about the economic regeneration of the island."

Dr Neil Mitchell will be collaborating with National University of Ireland, Galway and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution USA on a project entitled "Development of a Greenhouse Gas Ocean–Atmosphere Flux Sensor with MEMS–based Photoacoustic Technology". The world renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution already has an important link with Belfast through their role in the discovery of the wreck of the Titanic in 1985.

Dr David McNeill will collaborate with University of Texas at Dallas, Tyndall National Institute - Cork, and Dublin City University on a project entitled "Future Oxides and Channel Materials for Ultimate Scaling of Transistors in Integrated Circuits"

Future leaders: Pictured with Robert Swan are (L to R) Judy Black, Caron Malone, Karen Creighton, Richard Stewart

Four students from the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Computer Science have made it into the final of the npower Future Leaders Challenge.

Teams from universities across the UK entered the competition by sending in a short film describing their plans for a local green project around their university and wider community. The Queen's University students aim to encourage first year students to eat their evening meal together one night a week to reduce energy use from cooking various meals.

The winning team - whose project is judged to have the most impact - will win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica where they will get to experience effects of global warning first hand.

The four finalist students from Queen's University joined the other nine teams this weekend at an outdoors activity weekend in the Lake District. The course was specially designed to help develop team building skills, environmental knowledge and other key skills that will enable them to deliver their project.

The weekend was attended by Antarctic adventurer Robert Swan, whose company, 2041, will be taking the winning team to Antarctica. Robert talked to the university students about the affect climate change is having on the South Pole and how a series of small actions and projects - like the one being undertaken by the Queen's students - can make a real impact on the environment.

Judy Black said, "The weekend was fantastic. After being chest deep in bog and a mountain-top rescue due to a dodgy knee, we still came out laughing. We're now really inspired to start our project - the Enviro-chefs! We'll be encouraging first years to do a carbon cutting diet by cooking and eating an evening meal together once a week, to get to know each other and save energy"

Clare McDougall, npower's head of education programmes said," The npower Future Leaders Challenge has been developed to find the next generation of Robert Swans: young people with drive and passion, committed to learning about climate change and discovering new solutions to tackle its harmful effects. A team of Future Leaders will take part in an Antarctic expedition in March 2010, lead by polar explorer Robert Swan OBE."

The university teams will be working on their projects for the next two months, before the winning team is announced on 18th December.

Dr Tim Littler, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Norma Sinte, Director of Development at Queen’s and Mr Liam Molloy, Managing Director of ESBIE, at the Launch of the partnership.

Queen's University's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has received a major boost with the announcement of a new partnership with the business energy supplier ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE). The new partnership will help support and create opportunities for Northern Ireland's top engineering students.

The deal will see ESBIE providing scholarships to four students from the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme on an annual basis.  The package will include financial support, ongoing mentoring and practical experience through summer and corporate placements throughout ESB International's many energy sites throughout Europe.

Queen's ranks at number five in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering in University League Tables and it is also a member of the prestigious UK Power Academy which is made up of the top seven UK universities for electrical power engineering.

Commenting on the initiative, Liam Molloy, Managing Director, ESBIE, said, "ESBIE is committed to supporting the business market here in Northern Ireland, not only through our competitive and tailored energy services but also by bringing our experience to bear in areas such as the renewable sector. This will ensure Northern Ireland, which has enormous potential, is at the cutting edge of business economies in the near future.

"This exciting new partnership with Queen's is a reflection of that commitment by helping support the quality of students that enter into the workplace here.

"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects have been earmarked as key areas that will impact our future competitiveness and ability to grow and maintain high value jobs.

"At ESBIE we believe that businesses should take the lead on this by establishing and supporting STEM initiatives and help position them as the central focus of our economy.    Support is also needed from government, universities, FE colleges and schools but business can provide credible and effective leadership to support this goal.

"Queen's has a proven track record and we are confident that supporting and working with its students is a win-win scenario.  The financial and mentoring support that we will provide as well as access to our various engineering operations, including emerging businesses in the sustainable sector, will be a great aid in the development of the students. I am looking forward to seeing the long term rewards of this partnership with these students being at the heart of innovation within the engineering industry here in Northern Ireland in the years ahead."

Queen's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is one of the largest in the University with almost 150 undergraduates and over 80 postgraduate students studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.  Queen's graduates  in this area have a high employment rate, with 95% employed in jobs related to their degrees within six  months of graduating.

"Dr Tim Littler, who oversees the management of scholarships within the School, said, "The ESBI scholarships provide an excellent package that will support and shape the academic and career pathway of Electrical and Electronic Engineering students at Queen's. The prestigious new scheme provides ESBI with direct access to high calibre engineering students and offers an annual bursary and book allowance, comprehensive placement training, industrial mentoring and the prospect of a professional career with ESBI after graduation.

"The joint scheme has been founded on a strong technical synergy between the two partners which embraces ESBI innovation and global developments and the international reputation for high quality teaching and research at Queen's University."

The School of Electrical, Electronic Engineering and Computer Science proved a popular destination for school leavers considering doing degrees at Queen's at the recent Open Days.

Hundreds of students from schools right across Northern Ireland, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the UK, visited the facilities in both the Ashby and Bernard Crossland Buildings.  There the students had the opportunity to hear talks and have a go at the many ‘hands-on' displays, including a Virtual Surgery demo and a live portal linking the Ashby building to the main Whitla Hall in Queen's which allowed students to view what was happening in both locations.

Anthony Ngxiki, East Belfast has a go on the virtual surgery display, with Electronic and Software Engineering students Paul Reddan, Dunleer Co Louth and Andrew Bolster, Ballymoney		Claire Beverland, from Sullivan Upper, Hollywood, tries out the virtual surgery.

Druragh Integrated College student Nathaniel Nimmock, from Carrickmore, Omagh, chats to Newbridge Integrated College pupil Wayne Kennedy, Banbridge using the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Portal		Lurgan boys Patrick Lavery and Niall Lagan, from Lismore Comprehensive, Craigavon chat to computer science graduate, Ronan Conway, at Queen’s University Open Days

A number of employers had also set up stands at the Open Days so that the students could find out more about the many placements and job opportunities on offer in both computing and electrical and electronic engineering.  Students also had the opportunity to enter a free draw at the event, with the chance of winning an iPhone and an Xbox 360.

Congratulations go to Victoria Potts from Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast who was the lucky winner of the iPhone, and Scott Devine from Lurgan College who won the xBox.

Victoria is seen here receiving her prize from the School's Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer, Gemma O'Donnell		Scott is presented with his XBOX 360 by Tom Jackson from Microsoft, along with Derek Irvine from Lurgan College and Michael Noble from Momentum

The United Kingdom's lead centre for cyber-security research was opened today at Queen's University Belfast (23 September).

The £30 million Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen's in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will create 80 new positions and become the UK's principal centre for the development of technology to counter malicious 'cyber-attacks'.  Leading edge research that will help keep crime off the internet, combat anti-social behaviour and street crime and safeguard the trustworthiness of information stored electronically, both at home and in the workplace, are just some of the key areas addressed by the new Centre.

CSIT will also provide a timely boost to the UK's economy, aiding job creation and strategically positioning UK industry at the forefront of the global communication and information security sector, predicted to grow to around £50 billion in 2011.

The Centre is one of the first Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs) created in the UK. Funders include the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board. In addition, to date over 20 organisations have committed to support CSIT's work over the next five years. They include industrial partners such as BAE Systems and Thales UK as well as government agencies and international research institutes.

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Colin Cowan, head of the ECIT Digital Communications Cluster, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering on 6th July 2009.

The Academy honours the UK's most distinguished engineers. It aims to take advantage of the enormous wealth of engineering knowledge they possess and, through the interdisciplinary character of its membership, it provides a unique breadth of engineering experience to further the art and practice of engineering in all its forms.

Election to The Academy is by invitation only; up to 60 Fellows are elected each year from nominations made by existing Fellows. They are distinguished by the title 'Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering' and the designatory letters 'FREng'. Honorary Fellows and Foreign Members who have made exceptional contributions to engineering are also elected.

www.raeng.org.uk

Professor George W Irwin, who leads the Intelligent Systems and Control cluster within the School, has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship by the International Federation Of Automatic Control (IFAC). 
 
IFAC is a multinational federation of National Member Organizations, each one representing the engineering and scientific societies concerned with automatic control in its own country.

This award is given to 'persons who have made outstanding and extraordinary contributions'.  Professor Irwin is one of only nine Fellows elected worldwide.

The Fellowship will be presented by the President during a special ceremony at the World Congress in Milan, Italy, to be held in July 2012.