University of Leicester School of Engineering

We are delighted to share that Dr Muhammad Zubair has been selected as the 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award recipient by the IEEE @IEEEorg Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S). This prestigious annual award recognises outstanding early-career researchers (under 40) for their contributions to electromagnetics research, leadership, and professional service. The formal announcement has just been released: ieeeaps.org/committees/202… The official award presentation will take place later this year at the IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation in Detroit, USA. #IEEE #Electromagnetics #AntennasAndPropagation #EngineeringResearch #ResearchExcellence #STEM #HigherEducation

On 9 March 2026, our Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Program Year 2 students visited the Caterpillar @CaterpillarInc Desford as part of their EG2212 Electrical Machines and Drives curriculum, as well as for industry engagement and professional development. The visit was proactively organised and led by Dr Yang Xiao (Module Lead and Deputy Programme Director for EEE), joined by Dr David Siddle. We are very grateful to Toby Clark, Amy Rowan and the team at Caterpillar Desford for hosting an insightful and well-guided tour of their world-class manufacturing facilities. Students explored the full production and assembly pipeline of heavy construction machinery — gaining first-hand exposure to how cutting-edge engineering is translated into industrial-scale manufacturing. Caterpillar’s unique role in advancing earthmoving and building construction equipment directly underpins global infrastructure development. From innovations in modern manufacturing processes to the integration of complex electrical, mechanical, and control systems in modern heavy machinery, the facility exemplifies the bridge between academia, industry, and skills development for the next generation of engineers. A fantastic opportunity for our students to see engineering in action and connect their studies to real-world impact. 👏 Thank you again to Caterpillar Desford for such a valuable experience.

The upcoming Netflix @netflix documentary Dinosaurs, directed by Steven Spielberg, will use our colleague Dr Emine Celiker’s research as paleontological audio in the background. On a large collaborative study led by the University of Lincoln, Dr Celiker and the team studied katydid (bush-cricket) Jurassic fossils to recreate their mating calls, allowing an insight into the acoustic landscape of the Middle Jurassic. The reconstructed sounds will form part of the rich soundscape of the show, which is due to be released on 6th March 2026. youtube.com/watch?v=y4ZBSz… #Netflix #Dinosaurs #Paleontology #Bioacoustics #Jurassic #FossilResearch #ScienceCommunication #ResearchCollaboration

We are delighted to announce that the University of Leicester @uniofleicester School of Engineering and the University of Western Macedonia (@uowm) have been awarded just under €1 million by the Greek Ministry of Education and Sport to develop a new Transnational Education (TNE) MSc in Welding Engineering and Non-Destructive Testing. Our Head of School, Prof. Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd, Deputy Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Prof. Leena Sodha, and Deputy Director of Education, Dr Reza Baserinia, attended the award ceremony in Kozani, Greece on 24 February 2026. Prof. Marjanovic-Halburd and Prof. Sodha outlined the strategic vision of the School and College, while Dr Baserinia presented the School’s current educational portfolio and future direction. This award forms part of the European Commission’s Greece Recovery and Resilience 2.0 programme, supporting high-impact international collaboration between leading institutions. The jointly delivered MSc will combine distance learning, practical training and summer schools, with credits aligned to both ECTS and UK frameworks to ensure international recognition. Academic teams from Leicester and UoWM will co-develop the curriculum and learning materials during the preparatory phase. We look forward to deepening our partnership and delivering a high-quality, internationally recognised programme in this strategically important field. #UniversityOfLeicester #SchoolOfEngineering #TransnationalEducation #WeldingEngineering #NonDestructiveTesting #InternationalCollaboration

This British Council–funded (£80k) UK–KSA project addresses antimicrobial resistance in medical devices by developing biosensing-enabled antimicrobial biomaterials capable of detecting early infection signals and delivering targeted, on-demand antimicrobial responses. Using electrospinning and flocking, the project integrates responsive drug delivery with miniaturised biosensors. Led by the University of Leicester with partners KFUPM and PMU, the 24-month collaboration will deliver integrated prototypes, joint publications, open-access datasets, and researcher training, supporting ISPF objectives and improved patient outcomes. #AntimicrobialResistance #Biomaterials #MedicalDevices #Biosensors #Electrospinning #DrugDelivery #Nanotechnology #SmartMaterials

It was great to see colleagues from across the School of Engineering come together for our Christmas Coffee and Mince Pies social. The event created a relaxed and welcoming space for academic, professional services, technical staff and PhD students to connect, chat and enjoy some festive treats. A big thank you to Rebecca Mortley from the EDI Committee for organising the event and to everyone who contributed baked goods and helped make it such an inclusive and enjoyable morning. 🎄☕️ #SchoolOfEngineering #AcademicCommunity #EDI #ColleagueEngagement #FestiveCelebrations

Today, the School held an all-staff meeting. The Head of School, Professor Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd, provided an update on the School’s financial sustainability and future outlook. Dr James Jewkes, Director of Education, shared key messages and priorities arising from the recent PVC (Education) meeting. We were also pleased to welcome colleagues from the University’s Student and Education Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (SEEDI) team, who introduced and promoted the Black Student Experience Programme, highlighting the University’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in education.

Last night, we held a farewell drinks event to celebrate Prof. Hongbiao Dong's @DongHongbiao remarkable 21 years of dedicated service to the school. We are deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions and inspiring leadership throughout the years. It was a pleasure to have so many colleagues and long-time friends join us to bid him farewell and extend their best wishes for his new role. Wishing Prof. Hong all the best in his next chapter!

We are excited to share some highlights from the first hands-on use of the MyCobot280 robots by our Year 2 students on EG2213 Mechatronics, led by Dr. Victor Cedeno (Victor M. Cedeno-Campos PhD FHEA). Students from both General Engineering and Electrical & Electronic Engineering engaged enthusiastically with the robotic systems, gaining practical experience that will directly support their work in the Year 2 Integrated Engineering Design module (EG2006). The attached photos (and video) capture the excellent progress the students made during the class and the energy they brought to applying their robotics knowledge in practice. A great step forward in integrating advanced robotics into our undergraduate teaching. #EngineeringEducation #Robotics #Mechatronics #STEM #HigherEducation #HandsOnLearning #EngineeringStudents #UniversityOfLeicester #TeachingInnovation #RoboticsEducation

On 4 December 2025, our Year 3 General Engineering students visited the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (@UK_BIC ) as part of the EG3224 Sustainable Electrical Systems module. The visit was led academically by Dr Avinash Bhangaonkar (Module Leader) and organised by Dr Victor M. Cedeno (Programme Director), with students accompanied on the day by Dr Yuan Gao (Deputy Programme Director). We are very grateful to Simon Hill l and the UKBIC team for hosting an insightful and well-guided tour of their world-class facilities. Students explored the full battery development and manufacturing pipeline — gaining first-hand exposure to how cutting-edge research is translated into industrial-scale production. UKBIC’s unique role in advancing battery manufacturing, recycling, and energy-storage technologies directly underpins the UK’s transition to electrified transport and a Net Zero economy. From innovation in emerging technologies such as sodium-ion batteries to improvements in battery lifespan and charging performance, the centre exemplifies the bridge between academia, industry, and skills development for the growing battery supply chain. A fantastic opportunity for our students to see sustainable engineering in action and connect their studies to real-world impact. 👏 Thank you again to UKBIC for such a valuable experience. #UKBIC #EngineeringEducation #SustainableElectricalSystems #BatteryTechnology #NetZero #IndustryAcademia #StudentExperience #Electrification #FutureEngineering

🧬🔬💉Leicester–Dalian University of Technology Biomedical Engineering Virtual Workshop We were delighted to host a productive and inspiring virtual workshop today with colleagues from the University of Leicester and the Dalian University of Technology (DUT). The event brought together researchers from both institutions to share work in biosignal processing, biomedical AI, biomaterials, computational biology, med-tech innovation, and clinical translation. We had excellent discussions, identified strong areas of synergy, and agreed on clear next steps — including joint research themes, exchange opportunities, CSC-funded pathways, joint degree models, an annual workshop, and plans for a deeper long-term partnership between Leicester and DUT. Many thanks to Dr Xin Li and Prof Hongkai Wang for organising the workshop, and to Dr Tim Pearce and Prof Kairong Qin for leading the opening session. We also appreciate all colleagues from both Leicester and DUT for representing their teams and contributing to such a rich and engaging discussion. A big thank you to all colleagues who contributed and to everyone working behind the scenes to make this collaboration possible. We look forward to building a long-term partnership and developing impactful biomedical engineering research together! #BiomedicalEngineering #MedTech #BiomedicalAI #BiosignalProcessing #ComputationalBiology #Biomaterials #ClinicalTranslation #InternationalCollaboration #UKChinaPartnership #UniversityOfLeicester

🚀 Industry Insights: “You and AI – The Future of Engineering” Yesterday, we were delighted to host Paul Kirkham from Altair (acquired by Siemens) at our School of Engineering for an inspiring industry visit and guest lecture titled “You and AI – The Future of Engineering.” The session began with a welcome from Yuan Gao, then our guest speaker Paul shared fascinating stories on how AI and digital twin technologies are transforming engineering practice—enabling smarter design, multi-physics simulation, optimisation, and innovation across sectors, plus Altair training programs and educational efforts. Finally, Professor Hongbiao Dong shared his experience and insight on “AI in Materials & Manufacturing”, and potential training opportunity in  DigitalMetal CDT across five partner Universities. The event highlighted the power of collaboration between academia and industry in shaping the future of engineering education and research. It also provided students and staff with valuable insights into the practical applications of AI in solving real-world challenges. A sincere thank-you to Paul Kirkham for joining us and sharing their vision for the AI-driven future of engineering. Thanks to Jinning Zhang for the help in organisation. #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTwin #Innovation #IndustryCollaboration #Altair #FutureOfEngineering #STEMEducation

🎉 We are proud to share that Zygimantas Vainauskas, our first-year PhD student in the School of Engineering, has been recognised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for his potential to contribute to advancements in the field of aviation safety and airworthiness. Zygimantas has been awarded the prestigious Astridge Postgraduate Research Scholarship by the Airworthiness Technical Activities Committee (AIRTAC) and was elected an Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This national award, presented annually to only one PhD student in the UK, supports research that promotes airworthiness and safety in the field of aviation. Established in memory of renowned engineer Derek Astridge, the scholarship provides £15,000 over three years to foster innovation in this vital field. Zygimantas graduated from the University of Leicester with First Class Honours in MEng Aerospace Engineering (with Industry), achieving the highest overall performance in his cohort. He is now pursuing his PhD in the School of Engineering, under the supervision of Dr Jinning Zhang and Prof. Ashiq Anjum, researching prognostics and health management for hydrogen aircraft propulsion systems, a pivotal step toward sustainable aviation. We are delighted to celebrate Zygimantas’ achievement and look forward to supporting his research journey and its impact on the future of aerospace engineering. 🌍🚀 #EngineeringExcellence #AerospaceInnovation #IMechE #AIRTAC #ResearchRecognition #HydrogenAviation

🎉 Highlights from the Inaugural Engineering Together, School of Engineering Seminar Series We were delighted to host the opening session of the AY 2025–26 Engineering Together Seminar Series at the School of Engineering, University of Leicester, featuring the Digital Manufacturing and Management (DMM) Research Group. The inaugural session featured engaging talks by Dr. Shiladitya Paul and Dr. Dorian Galata, followed by an exciting live robotics demonstration led by Dr. Victor Cedeno. Many thanks to the Head of DMM Group, Prof. Csaba Sinka, for opening the event and to everyone who joined and contributed to such an energetic start. Looking forward to the upcoming sessions that will continue showcasing the breadth of engineering research across the School! #UniversityOfLeicester #EngineeringTogether #ResearchCulture #Innovation #DMM #Robotics #InclusiveResearch

Inspiring insights at our 2025 Annual Industry Lecture! Last night, the School of Engineering at the University of Leicester hosted our 2025 Annual Industry Lecture, featuring a distinguished alumnus — Chris Barkey. With over 30 years at @RollsRoyce plc, where he served as Group Director, Engineering & Technology, Chris later became Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Royce Institute and now serves as Chief Technology Officer at Baker Hughes. The event was hosted by Professor Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd, Head of School, and attended by Vice-President Professor Nishan Canagarajah. In his talk, “Impact through Innovation,” Chris reflected on his lifelong curiosity and motivation in engineering, sharing lessons from his remarkable career. He discussed the principles that drive productive collaboration and presented an exciting project on capturing CO₂ while simultaneously generating heat and electricity — a powerful example of innovation with real-world impact. Our students engaged with thought-provoking questions about the meaning and purpose of engineering, sparking a rich dialogue on what it means to make a difference through technology. The evening concluded with a lively reception, where Chris continued to interact with students and staff, offering valuable advice and inspiration. A huge thank you to Chris for an evening that reminded us how curiosity, collaboration, and innovation define great engineering. #Engineering #Innovation #UniversityOfLeicester #IndustryLecture #STEM #Sustainability #RollsRoyce #Inspiration #EngineeringEducation

On 23 June 2025 humanity opened their eyes to the skies much wider than ever. the On that date, the very first images of the superb Vera Rubin telescope were made available. On 23 June 2025 Dr. Fernando Schlindwein, as a representant of the University of Leicester, hosted a 'Rubin First Look Watch Party’, an on-line event where the first images were disclosed and a description of the observatory and its mission for the next 10 years was given. The new telescope/observatory is fantastic! Rubin Observatory is perched at the summit of Cerro Pachón in Chile, where dry air and dark skies provide one of the world's best observing locations. Rubin’s innovative 8.4-meter telescope has the largest digital camera ever built (3.2 Gpixels), which feeds a powerful data processing system. The key numbers for engineers and astronomy buffs are available at：rubinobservatory.org/for-scientists… Each full image would need 400 high-definition TV screens to be shown at full resolution, so the image posted here doesn’t do it justice. You will need to go on-line using the link given below and zoom each image in, and again, and again... All data from the telescope is free to all who want to use (because no single institution has the resources to analyse it in real-time nor in ‘reasonable’ time, as every night the telescope will gather 20 TB of data). The telescope will sweep the skies and produce in 10 years what ALL other current telescopes would need 1000 (one thousand) years to do. The images made available on 'Rubin First Look Watch Party’ (and many others) are available at: rubinobservatory.org/news/first-ima…