One of the country’s oldest charities has teamed up with a university for the mutual benefit of students and engineers.
Professor Amir Alani has been appointed the Rochester Bridge Trust Professor in Engineering at the University of West London.
A chartered engineer, Prof Alani has more than 24 years’ experience in the higher education sector. He is an expert in the applications of non-destructive testing methods in assessment, repair and maintenance of infrastructure, such as highways, bridges and tunnels, and has a distinguished track record of research and development in different branches of civil engineering.
Prof Alani, who was formerly the Bridge Wardens’ Professor at the University of Greenwich, said: “I am delighted to be directly associated with the Rochester Bridge Trust once more. No doubt, this development will bring the University of West London and the Trust closer in working together. We will be sharing our experiences and vision, within the context of knowledge exchange and development, in future education and scholarship activities.
“For me, there is no higher reward than seeing youngsters and future generations flourish and become successful technologists, and the engineering innovators of tomorrow.”
For the three-year duration of the post the two organisations will work together to share information and develop a greater network of industry contacts, both for their own benefit and for that of the students they support.
Sue Threader, Bridge Clerk at the Rochester Bridge Trust, added: “Education and research are of the utmost importance to the Trust, which is why we are pleased to be able to support this professorship in engineering.
“We are confident Prof Alani will inspire his students and make the most of his industry connections to help develop the young engineers’ careers.”
Find out more about Prof Alani and the School of Computing and Engineering at the University of West London at www.uwl.ac.uk/academic-schools/computing.
For more information about the Trust’s engineering education initiative see www.rochesterbridgetrust.co.uk.