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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a GKN Professorship of Manufacturing Engineering

The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. The Institute for Manufacturing is one of the six Divisions of the Department of Engineering. The staff of the Institute carry out research across the full range of disciplines within Manufacturing Engineering and are responsible for the teaching of both Parts of the Manufacturing Engineering Tripos. In recognition of the importance and relevance of the work of the Institute, and the need further to develop and strengthen both teaching and a long-term research strategy in Manufacturing Technology, GKN plc have generously agreed to provide funds for a period of ten years to support the establishment of a Professorship of Manufacturing Engineering for one tenure.

2. The Faculty Board of Engineering have warmly welcomed this demonstration of encouragement and support from GKN. They have advised the General Board that the establishment of this Professorship is vital to the ongoing development of research and teaching in Manufacturing Technology in the Department. The holder of the Professorship would be expected to provide leadership for research and teaching in the field and to also develop further the already extensive links between the Institute and manufacturing industry both in the UK and overseas.

3. The General Board have accepted the case made by the Faculty Board. Funding of £75,000 a year for ten years, in the first instance, has been made available by GKN in order to support the full cost of the Professorship for this period. The Head of the Department of Engineering has undertaken to meet, from the existing resources of the Department, the cost of the office in the event of any shortfall in funds and also to identify funds to support the Professorship for the remainder of the tenure of the person appointed in the event of termination of the external funds. The General Board have been assured that suitable accommodation for the Professor is available and that the necessary support can be provided. The Board are assured that an appointment at this level will attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates.

4. The General Board accordingly propose that a GKN Professorship of Manufacturing Engineering be established in the University from 1 July 2000 for one tenure, and be assigned to the Department of Engineering. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Engineering that the election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that preference should be given to persons whose work falls within the field of surface engineering.

5. The General Board recommend:

That a GKN Professorship of Manufacturing Engineering be established for one tenure from 1 July 2000, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Engineering.

24 May 2000

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Cambridge University Reporter, 14 June 2000
Copyright © 2000 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.