Published:
Dr Scott Arthur, Heriot-Watt University's Senior Director of Studies for Civil Engineering, has been elected as Chair of the UK Association of Civil Engineering Departments (ACED).
It is a huge honour to be elected to this position. I feel that it not only reflects my personal commitment to excellence in civil engineering teaching and research, but also that of my Heriot-Watt colleagues working in Edinburgh, Malaysia and Dubai.
ACED is a forum for academic leaders in Civil Engineering and exists to promote excellence in teaching and research. The organisation represents over 50 UK departments and facilitates discussion between academics, students, the profession, the media and government.
Dr Arthur said, "It is a huge honour to be elected to this position. I feel that it not only reflects my personal commitment to excellence in civil engineering teaching and research, but also that of my Heriot-Watt colleagues working in Edinburgh, Malaysia and Dubai."
"This is a time of huge challenges and opportunities in academia, not least: Brexit; funding cuts in Scotland; the lifting of the cap in England; changing student support in Wales and the introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework. As well as considering these key issues, however, I would also like to focus on how we ensure the profile of students entering Civil Engineering better reflect society as a whole."
"Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt has perhaps the highest proportion on female students in the UK, 25% this year, but we must do more as a profession if we are to reduce the expected 36,800 shortfall in qualified engineers predicted by 2050. I hope to spend some of my time this year establishing best practice and speaking to the profession, governments and campaign groups about how we can better promote Civil Engineering."