17 / 84
LatestNews
Robotics MSc next step for University of Plymouth graduate
mentored by Plessey CEO
Tamar Engineering Project (TEP) scholar
Brian Viviers has graduated with first-
class honours in BSc Computer Science
from the University of Plymouth and has
now begun a master’s degree course in
Robotics at the University of Bristol.
TEP is a mentoring and financial award
programme introduced by University of
Plymouth to help remedy the growing
technical skills shortage in the UK. The programme aims
to provide one-to-one mentoring and financial support to
high-performing students who may face socio-economic
barriers in their academic pursuits.
One of the first TEP Ailot project’s scholars to graduate, Brian
Viviers, was selected among the top performing students
across 29 engineering-related courses including computer
science, civil engineering and mechanical engineering.
Receiving one-to-one mentoring from industry veteran
LeGoff, Viviers was guided through the essential
commercial skills that employers look for, helping him to
develop confidence and sense of direction in his career.
Demonstrating his determination to succeed, Brian not
only achieved first-class honours in his degree, but was
also awarded Best Overall Computing Student from the
British Computing Society.
A pre-graduation ceremony reception was held in
September at the Lord Mayor’s residence at
Elliot Terrace in Plymouth to congratulate
Brian on his achievements. The event was
hosted by the University of Plymouth’s Vice-
Chancellor, Professor Judith Petts CBE and
Professor Kevin Jones, Executive Dean of
the Faculty of Engineering; and Michael
LeGoff – the CEO of Plessey – who played a
pivotal role as Brian’s TEP mentor.
The Tamar Engineering Project is championed and driven
by former chiefs and serving executives of industry leading
companies like Lockheed Martin, BT, SC Group, and
Dawnus.
TEP aims to support up to five new students every year
throughout their study at the University of Plymouth to
help shape confident, employable, conscientious engineers
of the future.
The Royal Academy of Engineering estimates that British
industry will require 100,000 new graduates in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects
every year until 2020 if it is to meet its growth aspirations.
However, the UK higher education sector has been
producing fewer than 90,000 STEM graduates each year.
science sector. Jodie has gained a permanent contract
as Laboratory Technician at CPI. She has also decided
to enrol for the BSc Biological Sciences degree at Teesside
University, and is being fully supported by CPI. Another CPI
apprentice, Michael Stokes, recently won the Outstanding
Achievement Award at the TTE (Training Group) Celebrating
Success event. Michael has successfully transitioned from
a level 3 apprentice to a higher level apprentice, and is a
valued member of the Asset Engineering Team, working
predominantly at the National Printable Electronics Centre,
and also the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre. Joe
Henderson, a Junior Process Technician and CPI apprentice,
received the Team Player Award at the TTE Celebrating Success
Event. Joe has been recognised for his impressive input in the
Operations team at the National Biotechnology and Biorefining
Centre, contributing across multiple department disciplines
from process to analytical.
“STEM subjects are going to play a critical role in the UK’s
economic growth and in tackling the sustainability challenges
we look to face in the future. At CPI we actively encourage
participation in STEM activities by a wide range of students,
emphasising the positive impact of STEM jobs on society,”
said Nigel Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Process
Innovation. “We’re proud to be inspiring so many scientists
of the future and we are committed to continue finding new
avenues to make STEM subjects more accessible to everyone.”
New-Tech Magazine Europe l 17