Press releases
New IET President says its time to recapture the excitement of engineering and technology
20 October 2006
Sir Robin Saxby the new President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology has said the West needs to recapture the excitement which surrounded engineering in the 19th Century if it is to compete with emerging nations such as China and India.
Delivering the President’s Address which marks the beginning of his year in office Sir Robin said that as Civil Engineering grew in the 19th Century engineering became a career for many young people to aspire to because of the exciting opportunities it offered.
Sir Robin added: “If we fast-forward to today, in the west people believe there are fewer opportunities in engineering, but if we go to places such as China there is a tremendous buzz and excitement about science, engineering and technology.
“We definitely have a challenge in the west; not enough kids are going into science, engineering and technology. That problem does not exist in China and India and we have to do something to redress the balance. I think this institution is really able to help career development,” he told the audience.
Speaking at the IET’s London HQ, Savoy Place, Sir Robin said the Institution has a duty to better inform the public about SET matters and is well placed to do so by drawing on the many eminent member experts for advice and guidance as well as broadcasting and archiving its activities on the web using IET.tv.
In the modern world Robin believes that established and emerging nations must work together better to improve life on our planet. “The best way for human beings to work together is through face to face dialogue. For instance major technology developments involve design teams of different cultures and races in multiple locations. As we enter the 21st Century the IET will move into an era where partnership with others around the globe is the natural way to better deliver its vision,” he said.
Sir Robin committed the IET to strengthen its links with other institutions and play a key role in influencing government, academia and industry.
A copy of the full presentation and photograph of Sir Robin is available from the IET Press Office. Contact details below. The presentation can be viewed at:http://www.iet.tv/channels/news/index.html
All press enquiries to:
Tony Henderson
Head of PR and Media
T: +44 (0)20 7344 8403
M:+44 (0)7974 457565
E: tonyhenderson@theiet.org
Notes to editors:
Sir Robin Saxby BEng CEng HonFIET FREng is President of the IET, Emeritus Chairman ARM Holdings plc, Visiting Professor The University of Liverpool and Director Glotel plc.
Robin was the founding CEO and chairman of ARM and led it to become the world's leading semiconductor IP company. Warren East took over as CEO in October 2001 and Doug Dunn as Chairman in October 2006.
Between 1984 and 1986, Sir Robin was CEO of Henderson Security Systems Limited and before that, he spent eleven years with Motorola Semiconductors in a variety of sales, marketing and engineering management roles. His early career was in design and development with Rank Bush Murphy and Pye TMC.
Sir Robin also served as Chairman of the Open Microprocessor Initiative Advisory Group, a European Union panel set up to advise on collaborative R&D activity in Europe.
He holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of Liverpool, Loughborough and Essex and is a Faraday medallist of the IET.
He was awarded a Knighthood in the 2002 New Year Honours and has received many global industry awards for his services to the Information Technology industry. He participates in various government advisory roles especially in areas of wealth creation, globalisation and inspiring the young to be passionate about Science, Engineering and Technology.
The IET
The Institution of Engineering and Technology is the largest professional engineering society in Europe and reflects the interdisciplinary, global and inclusive nature of engineering and technology. With a worldwide membership of more than 150,000, the Institution aims to lead in the advancement of engineering and technology by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas at a local and global level and promoting best practice, ensuring that its members are thoroughly equipped to meet the needs of today's rapidly changing technological world. Membership comprises of individuals from a diverse range of technical backgrounds including IT, communications technology, electronics, electrical, power engineering, software, control, informatics and manufacturing and range from students to leading figures in industry, research and development and education. The IET was formed in 2006 by the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Institution of Incorporate Engineers
For more information about the IET please visit www.theiet.org