Honouring 575 years of engineering excellence at the University of Glasgow with Mamta Singhal
This year, the University of Glasgow celebrates an extraordinary 575 years of history. As part of that milestone, we are reflecting on the legacy and global influence of its engineering community, including the James Watt School of Engineering.
To mark this exciting occasion, we spoke to IET Board Member, past YWE WES winner (2007) and Fellow, Mamta Singhal, an alumna with personal connections to the institution, about what this anniversary means to her and how the school helped inspire her career.
A lifelong connection to the University of Glasgow
Mamta’s connection is lifelong: her father began his academic career at the University in the 1970s, and she spent many childhood afternoons during the 80s and 90s doing homework in his office while he lectured. Later, she became a student there herself.
“It feels profound,” Mamta reflects. “The James Watt School of Engineering may have been formally established in 1872, when the University introduced its first Engineering degree, but engineering at Glasgow truly began in 1840 with the creation of Britain’s first Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, the birthplace of formal engineering academia in the UK. Being part of a university celebrating 575 years connects you to something far bigger, a lineage of curiosity, innovation and global influence”
Mamta graduating from the University of Glasgow in 2001.
“Walking the same corridors as James Watt, Lord Kelvin and generations of pioneering engineers gives you a sense of belonging to something bigger. It shaped my ambition. You realise you’re part of a lineage that spans centuries.”
Today, that legacy is reinforced by the achievements of leading IET‑connected academics. Among them is Professor David Flynn, who was awarded an IET Achievement Medal in Cyber Physical Systems in 2025 for pioneering architectures integrating energy, transport and digital systems. Other notable IET contributors within the School include Eftychia Koursari, Orla Hartley, and Lorna Bennet, each advancing the institution’s reputation for engineering leadership.
The James Watt School of Engineering stonework from 1901.
Shaping Mamta’s engineering journey
Mamta began her engineering studies at the University of Glasgow at just 17. “It was the first time I was surrounded by people who loved maths and problem‑solving as much as I did,” she says.
She credits the James Watt School of Engineering with helping her progress rapidly, including achieving Chartership. “It’s a tough university to get into, and that pushes you. It gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to pursue engineering internationally.”
The University also has a strong record of producing successful Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award winners, another testament to its environment.
Honouring its rich heritage
“The heritage is ever‑present, but the research, innovation and teaching are looking toward the future.”
Mamta emphasises the School’s ethos of using engineering to create positive societal impact, something she carries into her own work. “You’re taught that you stand on the shoulders of giants, but also that you have a responsibility to continue that legacy. You know you can make a global impact with a degree from the University.”
Mamta encourages fellow alumni and staff to share their stories. “Heritage only stays alive if we talk about it. Institutions like the James Watt School of Engineering show us how past innovation inspires future breakthroughs.”
She adds that professional communities like the IET play a vital role in connecting generations of engineers: “The IET is where those stories, and that learning, continue.”
Are you an IET member connected to the James Watt School of Engineering? We’d love to hear your story, get in touch with us at membernews@theiet.org.