The UTS Faculty of Engineering has a clear mission: to be a world leader in practice-based engineering education. We have a unique practice-based undergraduate course that includes two internships, each consisting of a six-month period of paid work in industry linked with academic preparatory and debriefing subjects. This contextualisation is critical in preparing students to be lifelong learners who are able to respond to any new challenge they subsequently meet. It also promotes an early identification of career preferences – in time to influence later subject choices – while helping students shape and form their career directions.

At the postgraduate level, world class coursework and collaborative research programs are offered and are closely targeted to 'industry-driven' needs. The Faculty is internationally focused and committed to globalising its programs, staff and students.

The Faculty of Engineering has a proud history of winning Australian teaching and learning awards that reflect the quality of its teaching programs. Recent examples include:

• the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2002, Excellence in Distance Education Materials Award: MeKong eSim for the undergraduate learning activity developed by a Faculty's multidisciplinary team lead by Dr Robert McLaughlin used to link engineers and social scientists from several universities
• the Australian Association of Engineering Education Award 2001 for 'Innovation in Engineering Education' which was presented to the Faculty for our flagship course, the Bachelor of Engineering, Diploma in Engineering Practice
• the Australian Association of Engineering Education Young Educator Award 2001 presented to Associate Professor David Lowe for outstanding ability and potential in engineering education.

Collaborative research and industry support are demonstrated by:

• the establishment of the Centre for Autonomous Systems to research, explore and develop intelligent autonomous systems and their application. The Centre brings together three leading groups in robotics, learning and intelligent systems
• the ongoing industry support for the Faculty's Co-operative Scholarships Program, and
• the great interest received by the Zunz Lecture Series hosted by the Faculty and the Industry Advisory Network which explores broad community subjects relating to engineering.

We will continue to strive to improve our student service and strengthen our links with our industry partners. I invite you to participate in this exciting journey – join with us, learn with us, collaborate with us and succeed with us.

Professor Archie Johnston
Dean