The British University in Dubai, the UAE’s leading research-based postgraduate institution, has announced the recent appointment of Professor Robert Whalley as the Head of the Institute of Engineering.
Professor Whalley is recognised as a leading authority in the field of engineering, following a distinguished career that includes the Royal Navy, private industry and academia appointments.
One of BUiD’s partner institutions, the University of Manchester will be collaborating on Professor Whalley’s research at BUiD on systems control and dynamics’ – the study of intelligent systems that sense errors in performance and automatically correct these deviations.
The Middle East is seen as particularly fruitful territory for original research of this nature, given the rapid pace of development and change.
“Automatic control systems address all areas across the engineering spectrum including applications in civil, electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering with specific examples ranging from a simple domestic temperature controller to the auto-pilot systems of commercial airliners,” said Professor Whalley.
“The study of engineering now incorporates a more holistic view of research and investigation including robotic, nanotechnology, biological and energy efficiency applications. Our aim is to introduce a ‘systems thinking approach’ at BUiD, to help educate a community of engineering students who will play their part in development projects across the Middle East,” adds Whalley.
With environmental issues increasingly becoming critical in projects around the world, Prof. Whalley suggests that engineering will play an important role in creating applications that maintain maximum output at optimum efficiency and reduce expenditure on (non-renewable) energy.
BUiD continues to actively recruit high level academic talent from around the world, as part of its mission to drive original research that makes a positive contribution to local industries and communities.
“We are continuously striving to ensure that our Institutes are populated with the strongest possible academic staff to enable our students to gain invaluable insight into their disciplines and particularly to understand the changing dynamics in key industries in the Middle East,” said David Lock, BUiD’s Registrar and Acting Chief Executive.
“Professor Whalley’s appointment adds significantly to the strength of the institute and we look forward to the innovation and research that will be implemented during his tenure,” added Lock.
While Chair in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bradford – a tenure that spanned 15 years – Whalley was also appointed Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
In addition to his engineering qualifications, Whalley holds a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D) and most recently, in recognition of his published research, was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree by the University of Manchester (2002).
About British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is the Middle East’s first research-based, postgraduate university. The University was established to facilitate access to world-class education, training and research in the Middle East. BUiD aspires to the highest, internationally recognized British standards as reflected in its partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University and now the Cass Business School at City University, London. Each has a five or five-star rating in the UK national Research Assessment Exercise that signifies research of international standard.
The not-for-profit university offers full and part-time Masters Degree programmes and Continuing Professional Development courses in Information Technology, Project Management, the Built Environment, Finance and Banking, Education and IT Management.
All BUiD’s current Masters Programmes have received Accreditation Eligibility Status from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Commission for Academic Accreditation.
The founders of the University are the Al Maktoum Foundation, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, Rolls-Royce, the British Business Group and the National Bank of Dubai. The University is governed by a Council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins, Dubai Duty Free, Hyder Consulting, the Emirates Foundation and DUGAS are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
