Celebrating Southampton's achievements in engineering
University achievements in engineering were on show at the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Summer Soirée, hosted by the University at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton this week.
Guest of honour was HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who was welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor, together with Fellows of The Royal Academy of Engineering, local dignitaries, members of staff and other Soirée guests. Over 300 people enjoyed a formal dinner in a dockside marquee and heard speeches from Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Wakeham, University Chancellor, Lord Selborne, and Lord Broers, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professor Wakeham said the event had been a great success: "The Royal Academy of Engineering Summer Soirée provided an opportunity for the University to showcase its excellent engineering research and education to a wide audience of academics, industrialists, and the local community. This opportunity was grasped with both hands by the many volunteers who designed and staffed exhibitions to display some of the University's achievements. All those who contributed to the event are to be congratulated."
The Duke of Edinburgh, who is the Senior Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, officially renamed the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) during his visit and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. The Duke, officially opened Southampton Oceanography Centre in 1996.
Guests to the Soirée took the opportunity to view the exhibition Exploring the Oceans highlighting University research activity in oceanography and other areas of science, engineering and technology. Exhibits included the remotely operated deep-diving vessel Isis, investigations into waves and acoustics and the use of marine currents to generate electricity. Outreach activities into schools and the wide community were also featured.
One very topical exhibit was the Virtual Trafalgar display where enthusiasts could fight the battle again in a virtual marine environment.
The event was supported by Southampton City Council, South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Associated British Ports, IBM, Lloyd's Register, Ordnance Survey and the RNLI.