National teaching award for Engineering lecturer

He uses case studies from his own industrial experience to help students of mechanical engineering, ship science, aeronautics and astronautics understand the relevance of the electrical engineering subjects he teaches. This illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of the discipline.

Suleiman has also introduced more mathematics. "When I was a student, I got bored when lecturers said we didn't have to know about the maths involved in engineering. If you understand the maths, the subjects become more interesting. Comments from students who have taken his modules include ‘Awesome stuff!!' and ‘Amusing lecturer who clearly knows what he's talking about'.

Managing Director, TSL Technology Ltd Dr Mike Yuratich supported the award. "We have worked together on over a dozen commercial motor/generator projects ... in all these cases Dr Sharkh has been able not just to use his skills in performing work and solving new multi-disciplinary problems, but to grasp their commercial and application aspects, and to teach us in terms we could understand".

Mechanical Engineering at Southampton reached the top of the Guardian league table while Suleiman was course co-ordinator.

 "I am pleased to win the award and thank colleagues in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment for their support in helping me to deliver good teaching. I will use the £5,000 prize money in developing new teaching materials," adds Suleiman