3 minute read time.
In a move to organise more international events, the Aerospace Technical and Professional Network (TPN) recently held its 2015 conference in Singapore.In a move to organise more international events, the Aerospace Technical and Professional Network (TPN) recently held its 2015 conference in Singapore.


The one-day event attracted a large number of students and professionals, and received sponsorship from the British High Commission in Singapore and from Abrasive Engineering, a local company.

d7d25b7c87e1f187d86da818b268cc9b-huge-singapore-4.jpg
Joint welcome reception between IET and British High Commissioner – Singapore


The conference was jointly developed by the TPN and the Singapore Local Network (LN), brought together by IET members including Dr Bicky Bhangu, who is closely involved in both communities.


“I suggested Singapore primarily because Bicky had joined the TPN committee and so we had a good representation there,” said Phil Cutcher, TPN chair. “The local volunteers were brilliant in developing and publicising the event,” he added.


Although clearly a logical location due to members bridging both networks, Singapore was also chosen because it is becoming known as a hotspot for aerospace technology, making the city-state the perfect setting for the conference. “ The aerospace industry is seeing a significant growth and much of this growth is coming from Asia and Middle East,” said Bicky. “Singapore’s success is evident by the investment in developing talent that is skilled and future ready. This is why we chose to hold the aerospace conference here: to promote the significance of STEM and excite the next generation into a flourishing aerospace industry”.


Once Bicky had brought the LN on board, the volunteers then started to explore possible collaboration with the British High Commission, which was in the midst of organising ‘Great British Week’ – a showcase of British innovation and creativity - at the same time. “It seemed natural to bring these two events together delivering the message of great British engineering, whilst connecting with a new young audience,” said Bicky. “As part of the British Innovation Week, along with other business partners, the aerospace conference was generously sponsored by the British High Commission Singapore”.


The conference theme focused on technological advances in the aerospace industry, bringing together government, industry, academia as well as students just starting to get involved in the sector.

fa99aae48f2f68b72ecdc54e27787b76-huge-singapore-2.jpg
Young scientists and engineers talking to Mike Henry, Honorary Secretary for the Singapore Local Network (right) 


Professor Peter Malkin from Cranfield University’s School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing was invited to attend as keynote speaker. He discussed the need for radical change in order to meet air travel demand and environmental emission targets, looking at new technologies including hybrid electric propulsion systems and superconducting systems.

5f06edfc99433f469e89a8c1b8a86947-huge-singapore-5.jpg
Professor Peter Malkin (3rd from left) with the winners of Aerospace Conference Best Poster awards


“There are many people who believe the subject of the talk summarises the very latest in this field,” said Professor Malkin. “Whilst this may sound rather immodest, this subject is certainly causing a great deal of debate within the industry. One colleague suggested if this happens that it would be the biggest change in aircraft design since the introduction of the jet engine,” he noted.


Peter’s talk led to a lively Q&A session, with many student attendees clearly interested in the subject. “We were very successful in reaching out to the younger generation – a group that IET has not been able to connect with well in the past,” Bicky noted. “There was a lot of interest in the topic from them, and a lot of curiosity!”

Alex Taylor, Head of Communities at the IET commented: “ This is another excellent example of TPNs and LNs working together to disseminate essential engineering knowledge to a new audience. My thanks go to Bicky and the other volunteers for making this conference such a success”.

Are you interested in finding a TPN that suits your interests? Go to our TPN index page or email the Communities Team.

*This is an article written by Keri Allan for the Summer 2015 issue of IET Member News