University reporter,ARU,Cambridge(wp+CI):::
ARU’s Faculty of Science and Engineering is helping to provide the skills required to succeed in these sectors.
Prof Laurie Butler, who joined as dean of the faculty earlier this year, said: “I firmly believe that working with business, as well as public and third sector organisations is a win-win for all.
“Through working in partnership, we can continue to transform lives and communities for the better.”
The faculty is home to around 6,000 students from around the world, studying a broad range of courses. Among its key aims are:
- To become a champion for supporting more women and other under represented groups to pursue STEM-related careers;
- To produce industry ready graduates with the skills and experience that employers need; and
- To identify and realise the potential of every student regardless of background.
The faculty offers courses for undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers.
Prof Butler said: “We offer a variety of innovative undergraduate courses delivered via one of our four academic schools - Computing and Information Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Life Sciences, and Psychology & Sport Science.
“We teach disciplines as diverse as optometry, computing and artificial intelligence, biomedical science and mechanical engineering.
“We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching, with over 150 of our staff currently recognised for their professionalism in teaching and learning by holding fellowships with the Higher Education Academy.
“Many of our courses are co-designed with employers and we are always looking for opportunities to work with new organisations. We are especially excited to be leading the way with degree apprenticeship programmes including new flagship courses in data science and bioinformatics.”
Its postgraduate courses also range across the STEM areas.
“We have invested in a new state-of-the-art £45m Science Building situated in the heart of our Cambridge campus that houses various biomedical, forensic, electronics, neuroscience and molecular laboratory facilities.
“The research interests of our staff address basic and translational research questions concerned with addressing societal issues such as climate change, smart cities and health behaviours.
“We are able to provide our students with an interdisciplinary perspective and, via our internationally renowned Global Sustainability Institute, with the skills and knowledge to build a more responsible future where people and the planet can prosper.
“Our students come from a variety of backgrounds but all share our values of ambition, courage and an appreciation of the importance of community.”
Prof Butler describes the faculty as “inclusive, innovative and entrepreneurial” in line with the university’s strategy of being welcoming to all and “measuring our success by their success”.
“I’ve been here at Anglia Ruskin for three months now and I can honestly say I see staff doing this every single day – we place our students at the heart of everything we do,” said Prof Butler.
Teaching styles range from traditional lectures to small group work, practical workshops, online and distance learning approaches.
“My personal favourite has been watching our forensic science students collecting ‘evidence’ from a simulated crime scene in our Science Building and then presenting their findings in a mock-up of a courtroom complete with a presiding judge,” said Prof Butler.
Links to employers are particularly important to ARU.
External advisory boards offer advice on curricula, while many employers provide placements and internships, or help the university develop new courses, such as apprenticeships.
This is just one of a number of trends Laurie is witnessing.
“Degree apprenticeships will only continue to grow in popularity and we are at the forefront in delivering these,” he said.
“Advances in AI and shifts in consumer trends are appearing so quickly though that we need to equip young people with the critical thinking and skill sets needed to cope with job roles that don’t yet exist.
“Online and lifelong training are very much the focus of our current thinking too. Above all else, I see a growing demand for education that places lifelong wellbeing and global sustainability at the core.“
This forward-thinking approach means the faculty is well-placed to help companies meet the challenges ahead.
“Our experts, combined with our cutting-edge research facilities, can help your business to innovate, optimise and grow,” added Prof Butler, who said that the faculty’s location in the heart of the thriving Cambridge science and tech cluster was a key reason why he joined.
He is particularly looking forward to seeing entrants in the Technology Company of the Year category taking an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems.
“It would be great if the winning entry could show just what is possible when you have a workforce that is comprised of people from a wide variety of cultures, viewpoints and backgrounds,” he said.
There are 15 categories to enter by filling in the entry form online. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 30 at the Bradfield Centre.
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