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  • Why Do Projects Fail?

    This is a question that we all as project professionals constantly ask ourselves.  I was conducting a literature search recently for a paper that I am drafting and came across this comic strip which should have resonance with all our members.  Please follow the link and view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEQWSjWSx4Q Having viewed the video it would be interesting to hear the thoughts of our group members and I am sure that we can all relate to the messages the video contains..... Over to the reader to comment........

    Louis Redding
    Louis Redding

  • Spotlight on Project Controls Network exec member: Louis Redding

    Louis Redding has been a member of the exec team for 3 years now and I'm very pleased to say he has recently been awarded CEng.   I was keen to know why Louis joined the committee: Louis says " Having attended an engineering exhibition in London a conversation was struck with a fellow passenger who had been to the same event.  That person was the current Chairman ....Alec.  The role of engineering within the economy and the need for qualified engineers quickly became the subject of the discussion.  For me, the choice of engineering was never just a career it is a vocation for life.  Throughout my life the profession has been central to everything I have done.  Whilst the barriers to excellence are high the attainment has served to provide great challenges and satisfaction.   Sadly the fact…

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Take control of your productivity

    Whether you’re a civil engineer working onsite, an aerospace engineer working in an office or a mechanical engineering apprentice trying to study as well as work on the shop floor, it can be tough to balance everything without getting stressed. Implementing some simple time-management strategies is an obvious first step to getting some control over your day – but how do you use that newly-found time as productively as possible? Here’s a quick look at some popular productivity systems that might work for you. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Factories Of The Future: Where Next? A Look Back

    On Wednesday last week, I was at the Factories of the Future: Where next? event, organised by the Control & Automation TPN exec team, and held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.   It is a great venue, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and operates some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world.     Factories of the future represents the next big revolution in manufacturing – a transition from industrial age to digital age – that will involve complete automation and integration of systems across factory floor, and beyond. The ultimate goal of the future factory will be to seamlessly, safely and securely integrate systems across domains, hierarchies, geographic boundaries, value chains and even life cycle phases. The role of humans will change from…

  • Cybersecurity Challenges And Predictions

    Cybersecurity Challenges and Predictions 7:00 p.m.  Seminar Hall, Bahrain IET Local Network BSE, Juffair,  Kingdom of Bahrain. Sunday 25 Sept. 2016.  Speaker:   Hakem B. Isa,  Executive Security Advisor IBM, USA. Abstract:  Cybersecurity Challenges and Predictions:  A new security reality is here, where… Sophisticated attackers break through conventional safeguards every day. Organized criminals, hacktivists, governments and adversaries are compelled by financial gain, politics and notoriety to attack your most valuable assets. Their operations are well-funded and business-like %u2012 attackers patiently evaluate targets based on potential effort and reward. Their methods are extremely targeted %u2012 they use social media and other entry points to track down people with access, take advantage…

    Prof. Ebrahim Mattar
    Prof. Ebrahim Mattar

  • Congratulations to Toronto LN executives

    Congratulations to Rose Almond, Anni Feng and Timothy So to be Toronto LN Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Facts About Night Vision Technology

    Check out some of the amazing blog posts by Gabby Di, here on Engineering Communities! Night vision technology gives us the ability to see in almost complete darkness. It is mainly used by the military and police forces, but night vision technology can find its use in the civilian world. In this article, we will cover some interesting facts about night vision goggles and other devices. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Getting ‘Pretty Muddy’ for charity

    Three apprentices from Sellafield recently took part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research. Mechanical design apprentice Lauren Clarkson, electrical design apprentice Laura Ward and business admin apprentice Bethany Cavanagh stepped up to the challenge on 24 June, taking part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 2016 at Tatton Park in Cheshire. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • STEM Seeds Planted Early

    For younger learners, the key to capturing and maintaining this interest is to engage them in STEM learning daily. Finding math and science connections in everyday life and using those instances to demonstrate basic principles can be an effective way of building a lifelong interest in STEM subjects, inside and outside of the classroom. Playing with blocks might be the gateway to an engineering career, taking on a simple coding exercise may lead to a lifetime fascination with technology. The possibilities are endless if we can help young learners access the appropriate resources. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Astronomers unveil most detailed map of the Milky Way to date

    Astronomers have unveiled the most detailed map to date of the Milky Way, after charting the positions of more than 1bn stars with stunning precision. The map, based on observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia probe, still only represents about 1% of the Milky Way’s stars, but is already 20 times more complete than any previous observations of the night sky. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member in Space

  • Hinkley Point to be given 'green light' by Theresa May

    The Hinkley Point nuclear power station looks set to be given the go ahead within days after the French firm EDF was reportedly told it has been approved. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Amazon Echo: What can Alexa do and what services are compatible?

    Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker controlled with your voice. It features a personal assistant called Alexa, who will perform various tasks for you and control various systems. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Speaker Highlight - Intelligent Imaging (Part Eight)

    The joint IET Vision and Imaging Network and Knowledge Transfer Network event Intelligent Imaging is soon to take place on the 14 October 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place . We are excited to announce that our eighth speaker for the day is: Andrew Schofield , Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. About Andrew: Andrew Schofield has a BEng in Electronics, a PhD in Neuroscience and a PG-Diploma in Psychology. He is a multidisciplinary thinker whose work crosses the boundaries between Psychology and Computer Science. After receiving his PhD Andrew completed a Research Fellowship in Computer Vision and Neural Networks at Brunel University and then worked for a year in the Civil Service as an Image Processing expert before returning to academia as a Research Fellow in Psychology…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS: Have You Downloaded The CPD TWAVES Poster Yet?

    From January 2017, IET members with designatory letters may be chosen to have their previous year’s records reviewed.  In the lead up to this time, we want to ensure that everyone understands the different types of activities that can contribute toward their CPD.  We have produced a poster which explains the simple acronym TWAVES which represents the different categories of CPD recognised by the IET.  What are TWAVES?   The IET categorise CPD activities in to six main categories: T raining courses; W ork experience; A cademic study; V olunteering; E vents and seminars; S elf-study.  The new TWAVES poster, available in two sizes, is now available to download.  To help you share this knowledge the poster below can be downloaded from our website  and placed on work notice boards, handed out at…

    Kathryn Bain
    Kathryn Bain

  • Calling innovative SMEs to solve real-life NHS issues

    A new R&D Horizontal Innovation Programme for SMEs to the value of £35,000 has launched by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and IET. This innovative programme will fund and assist an SME (from any industry sector) in adapting its own existing technology solution from design to commercialisation in the healthcare sector.* Application forms and more details are available online. The opportunity will be awarded to the business that best demonstrates a technology solution in the healthcare sector, in particular one that addresses the current NHS challenges within Emergency Care - Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. The proposal should aim to solve a real-life issue within NHS patient care, which could include anything from initial patient transportation through to recovery.

  • Calling Innovative SMEs To Solve Real-life NHS Issues

    A new R&D Horizontal Innovation Programme for SMEs to the value of £35,000 has launched by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and IET. This innovative programme will fund and assist an SME (from any industry sector) in adapting its own existing technology solution from design to commercialisation in the healthcare sector.*  Application forms and more details are available online . The opportunity will be awarded to the business that best demonstrates a technology solution in the healthcare sector, in particular one that addresses the current NHS challenges within Emergency Care - Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. The proposal should aim to solve a real-life issue within NHS patient care, which could include anything from initial patient transportation through to recovery.

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Speaker Highlight - Challenges In Tribology (Part Two)

    The second confirmed speaker for the two day event Challenges in Tribology , produced by the IET Tribology Network has been announced! Doctor Henry Begg , Senior Project Leader, Surface Engineering at TWI Ltd. Henry will be speaking as part of the second day of the event 'Materials and Coatings for extreme environments' on the 17 March 2017. About Henry: Dr Henry Begg is a Senior Project Leader within the Surface Engineering section at TWI Ltd, where he manages a variety of thermal and cold spray projects on behalf of TWI’s industrial members. Having studied for an undergraduate degree in materials science at Cambridge University and completed a PhD at the University of Oxford looking into novel processing of aluminium alloys (including manufacture via thermal spraying), he is now involved…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Highlights of IET NSW Events Part 2: Presentation Dinner & ANZ SRRC Meeting

    Annual Presentation Dinner was a big success with over 100 guests from industries and local universities. Winner of the PATW Regional Final winner was announced at the dinner.  Congratulations to Yasir Naveed from HK Network.  Guest speaker Andrew Dzurak spoke on the topic:  Quantum Computing and Nano Electronics.  Very exciting news is 20 students signed up as student members as a result of the event.  I spoke to some of the guests including a student who thought IET organize great events and is interested to get invited to more IET events!!  IET NSW members and guests ANZ Student Recruitment and Retention Campaign meeting was held, 11 SRRC representatives from 8 ANZ Networks joined the meeting to share best practices,  discuss and implement strategies to recruit students and retain YPs. …

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Highlights of IET NSW Events Part 1: IET PATW Asia Pacific Regional Final 27 August 2016

    8 presenters from countries or Networks such as:  Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan joined the Regional Final organised by IET NSW Network. Always excited to see all the young talents including the  Australia Final winner:  Will Henham and other presenters to present on a variety of topics from Synthetic Blood to Smart Drones.  Judges are Paul Furniss, dedicated IET volunteer and a Fellow member, Professor Ambikairajah from UNSW and Gary Knox from Daikin.  Judges had a hard time deciding who’s the winner.   Winners was announced at Annual Dinner  (Check out Highlight of the IET NSW Events Part 2). Pic:  IET PATW Asia Pacific Final presenters CC-AP committee members held their meeting at Sydney and attended the events on 27 Aug to show their support for the…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Speaker Highlight - Intelligent Imaging (Part Seven)

    With one month to go until the joint IET Vision and Imaging Network and the Knowledge Transfer Network event ' Intelligent Imaging ', at IET London: Savoy Place on the 14 October 2016, we are delighted to announce our programme is fully confirmed! Our seventh speaker of the day has been announced as.. Paul Jerram , Chief Engineer, Space Imaging at e2v. About Paul: Paul Jerram is Chief Engineer and is responsible for new design and development activities for image sensors for Space and Astronomy applications at e2v. This includes design of both CMOS sensors and CCDs as well as the development of processing technology to optimise the device performance. Paul has worked in the imaging division of e2v for over 20 years following a Ph.D. at University College London and a number of roles in different…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Speaker Highlight - Challenges In Tribology (Part One)

    Earlier this year, the IET Tribology Network held their flagship event ‘New challenges in Tribology’ on the 05 April 2016 at IET Birmingham: Austin Court. Following the success of the event, the IET Tribology Network have decided to run the event again as a two day event ‘ Challenges in Tribology ’ on the 16 and 17 March 2017 at IET Birmingham: Austin Court . The two day conference will be divided into two topic areas: 16 March 2017: ‘Transport Challenges’ 17 March 2017: ‘Materials and Coatings for extreme environments’ We are delighted to announce that our first confirmed speaker for the 17 March is: Professor Christian Mitterer,  Professor for Functional Materials and Materials Systems, Head of the Nano Surface Engineering Center at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria. About Christian: Christian…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Robot operates inside eye in world first

    Surgeons have used a robot to operate inside the eye and restore sight - in a world first. A team at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital used the device, controlled via a joystick, to remove a membrane one hundredth of a millimetre thick. Patient Bill Beaver, 70, a curate in Oxford, said it was "a fairytale". Surgeons hope the procedure will pave the way for more complex eye surgery than is currently possible with the human hand. The BBC had exclusive access to the procedure. Read more...

  • Important Notice For IET Members - Faraday Centre Limited Service and Space on 06 October

    The Faraday Centre at IET London: Savoy Place will be partially closed on Thursday 6th October 2016 for the IET’s Festival of Engineering. This special event will bring together both the current and next generation of engineers and technologists for a day of events and activities in the building. Over 400 engineers and 300 school children will be in attendance.   -    The Faraday Centre Lounge, Faraday Kitchen and Knowledge Centre will be closed all day for the event. There will be no food served from the Faraday Kitchen, although a reduced menu of sandwiches and snacks will be available in the Nuffield and Tesla Rooms -    The Ayrton member meeting room will be available as well as the 4 member meeting booths on a first come, first served basis. Pre-booking of these spaces will be suspended…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • How To Map The Earth (or What Was The Shuttle For Anyway)

    How to Map the Earth (or what was the shuttle for) was the title of an excellent talk to the IET in Southern California by Dr Kobrick, a scientist from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. The first manned mission for the space shuttle, and it’s second flight overall, STS-2 had a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) loaded in the payload bay to capture images of earth. To create a SAR image, signal processing of the echoes of the pulses transmitted by the single beam forming antenna is combined with the position of shuttle in orbiting to allow the generation of topographic information. Since a synthetic aperture radar captures detail by moving over the target it is possible to get a higher level of resolution compared to a beam scanning radar and as the wavelengths are not blocked by clouds…

    Richard Tregaskes
    Richard Tregaskes

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