Message from the Dean

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, and research awards that reflect the quality of its research output. 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
• an Australian Engineering Excellence Award in Innovation 2003, for FedSat, the first Ka band satellite tracking system to have earth stations designed and built in Australia
• a National Local Government Award 2003, for a unique bridge testing system designed in consultation with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia and 14 NSW country councils
• an Engineers Australia Award for Excellence in Engineering Design 2004, in conjunction with Ventracor, for the VentrAssist™ artificial heart.

Collaborative research and industry support are demonstrated by:

• the establishment of the ARC 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 services 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