18 Sep 07

Lord Jenkin of Roding, the grandson of the first Professor of Engineering Science at Oxford University, Frewen Jenkin, formally launched Oxford's Centenary of Engineering Science on 15 September 2007.

Celebrations for the Centenary began with The Jenkin Lecture given by The Honourable Mr Justice Ramsey on 'Law and Engineering: resolution of technology disputes'. A series of special lectures, running from September 2007 to June 2008, will follow covering everything from Robert Hooke to engineers at war and motion capture to engineering and sustainable development.

Other highlights of the Centenary programme include: The Lubbock Lecture to be given by Lord Browne, President of The Royal Academy of Engineering; a poster exhibition and photography competition; a debate on educating engineers; and the launch of a commemorative book 'Engineering Science at Oxford: A History' by Dr Alastair Howatson.

In his introduction to The Jenkin Lecture Lord Jenkin, Patron of the Centenary, shared his recollections of his grandfather Frewen Jenkin - who was elected Oxford's first Professor of Engineering Science in 1908. He explained how his grandfather's engineering instruments came back into the family's possession from the son of a Jewish refugee whom Frewen Jenkin had helped to rescue from Nazi persecution. He was delighted to loan these instruments to the Department of Engineering Science so that they could go on display as part of the Centenary celebrations. Lord Jenkin stressed the importance of attracting more postgraduate engineering students to Oxford from the UK and the EU, a task made difficult by the small number of studentships available. He hoped that establishing new studentships as part of the Centenary Appeal would help to redress the balance and this was an initiative that he was sure his grandfather would have approved of.

The Oxford Engineering Centenary Appeal is looking to establish six graduate studentships and a student support fund to enable engineering postgraduates to pursue their studies regardless of financial circumstances.