News
Tuesday 21 March 2006
Building bridges for the future - Institution of Civil Engineers' president visits university
The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) visited Nottingham Trent University as part of a UK tour of leading civil engineering providers. Gordon Masterton’s presentation – Changing the Perception of Engineers to Encourage the Brunels of the Future – focused on tackling the history, perception and reputation of the engineering profession.
This year’s event tied in with the 200th anniversary of the birth of civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and attracted staff, students and graduates from universities across the region.
Gordon Masterton gave a presentation to more than 100 visitors in Nottingham Trent University’s Bonington building. He talked about the work of the ICE, the importance of civil engineers in the world, and how it was vital to take stock of and understand the past, while looking to the future to a new breed of young civil engineers.
He highlighted civil engineers’ roles in natural disasters and the work of those civil engineers who were daring designers. It was particularly important to celebrate the achievements of engineers of the past such as Brunel, an engineer, designer and builder of bridges, tunnels, railways and steamships.
A key area of the talk centred on sustainability issues and the work of civil engineers who created globally green solutions.
Gordon Masterton said: “The real challenge is to understand the past so we can master the future, to work together to sustain our civilisation. We need to aim to change the perception of civil engineers so that we harness the Brunels of the future to raise our standards in our duty of care to society.”
Gordon Masterton was accompanied by other senior members of the ICE including Director General Tom Foulkes, Regional Chairman Steve Wiles and Regional Manager Malcolm Jackson. The ICE team were welcomed to the university by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Gorman, designed environment team leader Paul Collins and Civil Engineering Programme Leader Mark Davison.
ENDS
Notes for editors: The president visits Nottingham Trent University, The University of Nottingham and Loughborough University on a three-year cycle - this year it was Nottingham Trent University ’s turn to host the event.
For more information please contact:
Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 2650 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk
Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 6589 or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk
