News in brief, Tuesday, April 23
Published: 23 April 2019
A weekly round-up of news across the University
James Watt 2019 and the University of Glasgow
To celebrate the works and legacy of James Watt in the 200th anniversary year of his death, the University of Glasgow are undertaking a number of events throughout 2019 to honour this pioneer of the Industrial Revolution.
Born in Greenock, Scotland, in 1736, Watt was employed by the University as an instrument maker at the age of 20, providing him with lodgings and a workshop. During his employment he manufactured a range of items for the Professor of Practice of Medicine, Joseph Black, that included an organ and a perspective machine.
When presented with a model Newcomen steam engine in need of repair, Watt devised a separate condenser which would improve efficiency and permit enormous savings in fuel. Through developing this idea with industrialist Matthew Boulton, Watt is considered to be one of the key figures of the Industrial Revolution. The model Newcomen engine survives to this day and is on long-term display at The Hunterian.
In 1806 the University of Glasgow conferred on him a Doctorate of Laws and to this day he is remembered at the University with the Engineering building being named in his honour.
Among the events being planned to mark Watt's 200th anniversary are:
Wednesday 5 June, Kelvin Gallery, University of Glasgow
The James Watt Bicentenary Symposium is a one-day event to mark the legacy of James Watt and explore the future opportunities and challenges for Engineering. Speakers from academia, industry and the public sector will present on a broad range of topics including James Watt’s legacy, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, space technology, bioengineering, healthcare, water resources and energy systems.
Wednesday, 5 June, Sir Charles Wilson lecture theatre
Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, will be delivering this year’s RAEng/RSE Joint Lecture.
Dame Ann Dowling will explore the role of grand challenges in inspiring and driving progress in engineering, building on her own experience of being attracted into engineering to work on Concorde, one of the most inspirational engineering projects of its day.
QAA Scotland Focus on Graduate Skills project
Students are being invited to take part in QAA Scotland Focus on Graduate Skills project, which aims to analyse the views of current undergraduate and PGT students on the skills they are developing through their studies at higher education institutions in Scotland.
This will involve completing a questionnaire asking about your views on equality and diversity in skills development, readiness for employment, development of digital skills, and global citizenship. The survey should take around 15 minutes to complete. The findings will be published on the QAA Scotland website and we will update on our progress on Twitter @QAAScotland.
If you complete the survey, you are entered into a prize draw to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers. The link to complete the survey is here and the survey is open until 16 May 2019.
We are also looking for students to participate in focus groups in Glasgow and remotely online during April. You can express your interest in participating in these focus groups at the end of the survey. All focus group participants receive a £10 Amazon voucher for their contributions.
If you would like to get involved, complete the survey via the link. If you would like to participate in a focus group, provide your email address at the end of the survey, or email Katerina Manoli at 2146912M@student.gla.ac.uk. The study has been approved by the College of Science and Engineering Ethics Committee at the University of Glasgow. If you have any questions about the study email Maxine.swingler@glasgow.ac.uk.
First published: 23 April 2019