University News Last updated 02 February 2023
Birmingham City University (BCU)’s School of Engineering and Built Environment has secured funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering for the appointment of Visiting Professor Dr Graham Herries.
Dr Herries will be at BCU for three years to share his expertise in managing complex programmes to deliver high technology solutions across defence, aerospace, security, built environment and the IT industries.
The award provides funding to support industry-into-academia activities such as teaching and course development. The exchange will help to strengthen the School’s links to industry, ensuring student education remains practice-relevant to the highest level.
Dr Herries will provide key insights into industrial practice and will work with the School to enhance student attainment and employability.
The appointment will help to create an industry-focused environment to support all students to achieve their potential in their studies. It will also engender an awareness of employability needs and build confidence in students that they will carry with them into their professional careers.
The Employability Escalator concept will be co-created throughout the period with students, academics and industry.
Dr Herries has been a Chartered Engineer for over 20 years and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology for over 10 years.
Head of School of Engineering and Built Environment Professor Nasser Sherkat said: "Graham is a highly experienced industrial expert who has crossed sectoral boundaries to deliver engineering best-practice.
“His experience from a wide range of large industrial employers as well as experience in a deeply technical SME positions him excellently for this role and for contributing to the refresh of our industrial practice.’
Dr Herries said: "I am very excited about this opportunity to turn the Employability Escalator into reality bringing industrial practice into course modules for the benefit and understanding of students."