Engineer's Day Out

1) What can you tell us about the British Council Engineering Subject Mission? How will it benefit Indian students?
Ans. The British Council mission 2015 is aimed at enabling higher education institutions in India to develop partnerships with their UK counterparts in the field of engineering, helping them achieve their long-term research and teaching objectives.This mission is a five-day programme with academic staff from six UK universities visiting some of India's foremost higher education institutions for engineering subjects -- PES University, Alliance University, Christ University, MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology and Reva University in Bangalore and DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering, Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, K J Somaiya College of Engineering and Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering in Mumbai. Each visiting academic from the UK will be given an opportunity to deliver lectures to the students at these Indian institutions.

2) What can you tell us about the advancements that have been made in teaching mechanical engineering?
Ans. Mechanical Engineers solve problems and create new ideas to find realistic solutions that affect our lives. Students at the Staffordshire University apply a systematic approach to problem-solving so that when they become practicing engineers they develop sustainable solutions. Mechanical engineers must take a holistic view to problem-solving, considering the broader impacts of both the problem and possible solutions on the environment, society, and the economy. The idea is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
The use of high performance computers, advanced numerical strategies, computational methods and simulation in various engineering disciplines is now commonplace. Leading mechanical engineers are now using cutting-edge computational design techniques and the latest simulation software can give accurate insights into how innovative design ideas will work in practice.

3) Do you think it is essential to have industrial work experience embedded into the college curriculum?
Ans. Many engineering employers are increasingly looking for experience as well as academic achievement in candidates for their positions and as such offering the student opportunities to undertake a period of industrial work placement cannot be overstated. The general aims of the industrial placement are to
a) Provide students with the experience of seeking and securing a position within an appropriate industrial organisation;
b) Encourage self-appraisal and the ability to present themselves effectively to potential industrial hosts;
c) Provide a period of practical experience which will benefit their academic study and longer term career;
d) Provide the opportunity to recognise and record the development of work place skills;
e) Facilitate personal development in an Industry setting; Undertaking a placement in industry gives the student a chance to use their degree skills in the real world.
The school of Engineering at Staffordshire University now offers extended international Master of Science (MSc) courses with a Minimum duration of 23 -26 months full time or 32-36 months with an industrial placement. We encourage International students, once enrolled, to apply for a placement and we have a dedicated team of experts who will lead each student through the process. Students who are successful with finding a placement will be provided with help and advice with their visa extension application (subject to the University deadlines and Immigration requirements).

4) What sets Staffordshire's engineering programmes apart from those of other universities?
Ans. The School of Engineering at Staffordshire University is a leading centre for innovation and practical scholarship. The school offers modern professionally accredited engineering programmes of full and part-time study, enterprise partnerships with industry and has a successful active research programme.
Our laboratories and technology centres are equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware. The school is also the recipient of a £1.2 million investment by the University in its Engineering laboratories on its Stoke-on-Trent campus. The School of Engineering focuses its academic activities in Mechatronics and Product Design, Automotive and Aeronautical, Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics

5) Could you tell us a bit about the various scholarships that Staffordshire has introduced for international students?
Ans. In March 2015, Staffordshire University introduced an extensive scholarship package of which Indian students can avail. Staffordshire's scholarship are merit scholarships available for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Sudents are automatically considered for a scholarship once they apply to Staffordshire.
For undergraduate, as long as students meet the published entry criteria they will receive a £1,000 for the first year of study. For each subsequent year a student studies at Staffordshire they will receive a scholarship based on their end-of-year grades: First Class: £2,000, Upper Second: £1,500, Lower Second: £1,000
For Postgraduates, merit based scholarships are awarded based on final Indian degree classification: First Class with Distinction: £2,000, First Class: £1,500, Upper Second: £1,000 (55.5% for Engineering and 58% for MBA)

6) Do Staffordshire graduates from other countries get the opportunity to live and work in the UK after completing their courses or must they return to their country of origin immediately?
Ans. Students have a stay back period after they finish their studies of 3 months, and are all eligible to secure a Tier 2 job, as long as they earn over £21,500 pa and employment is with a Tier 2 registered company.