Harper Adams University expert secures Institution of Agricultural Engineers’ Award of Merit
The strength of ongoing links between Harper Adams University and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) has again been marked at the Institution’s annual awards.
At the ceremony, held at Amazone Ltd near Doncaster, a range of awards were given out by IAgrE President Steve Constable – who is himself a Harper Adams alumnus.
Among those awarded this year was an IAgrE Award of Merit, which is given to a person distinguished by their work in agricultural science or engineering, or one that has rendered outstanding service to the Institution.
This was given to Harper Adams Senior Lecturer Graham Higginson IEng REnvP FIAgrE – for his outstanding service to the Institution and his dedicated support to students of agricultural engineering at the University.
He said: “It is an absolute honour, and surprise, to be nominated and then receive the Award of Merit from the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, recognising my support to agricultural engineering students.
“It’s good to know that recognition comes not only from the person nominating me, but from the members of the awards panel too.”
At the same event, MEng Mechanical Engineering graduate Philip Pinn, from Suffolk, was named the winner of the IAgrE CNH Industrial Award Postgraduate prize.
The prize is made based on a dissertation or thesis which demonstrates innovation and practical application in land-based industries – and Philip won for his MEng thesis, Optimising Clamp Silage Compaction.
His prize was awarded by Rob Alker of CNH Industrial, the award sponsors, and Philip will be visiting the company following the ceremony.
The prizes are the latest secured by Harper Adams staff and students at the awards, and Graham believes that the work the University and IAgrE do together helps to strengthen both institutions.
He added: “Harper Adams University and the IAgrE have a very symbiotic relationship, in that all the engineering courses at Harper Adams University are accredited by IAgrE as meeting the educational requirements for the relevant professional registration – Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer.
“All students attending Harper Adams are also eligible for free student membership of IAgrE, sponsored by the Douglas Bomford Trust – who are themselves great supporters of Harper Adams, offering grants and scholarships to engineering students too.
“Students joining the new engineering courses for the 2023/24 academic year are now eligible for Engineering Technician registration after their placement period.
“I am currently piloting placement assessments aligned with the Engineering Technician competence statements, which makes professional registration as seamless as possible after students return from their placement year, whilst adding even more value to their placement year.
“The Wrekin Branch of IAgrE even meets at Harper Adams University, where all students and those with an interest in the activities of agricultural engineers are most welcome.
“Finally, as a member of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers membership committee, I recently had the pleasure of being involved in the acceptance of Ken Sloan, the Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams, as a member of IAgrE.”