The MSc is run in collaboration with the Prince’s Foundation and was originally announced by HRH the Prince of Wales, Founder and President of the Prince’s Foundation when he officially opened the University’s Bay Campus in 2016.  The course was launched in September 2017 and is now into its second year.

Dr James Holness (Associate Professor) is the Dean of International Programmes and Provider Management at the University and the SEM4ID Programme Director.  He said: “The SEM4ID MSc programme is based around multidisciplinary, participative and action-based learning through real in-country engineering development projects; defined in collaboration with in-country and University stakeholders."

The first year of the MSc was focused around a number of projects at two locations in Sub-Saharan Africa, one in Zambia and one in Sierra Leone, and whilst development is considered broadly, it addresses the vital needs of developing countries where most of the world’s construction is now located.  Of the students that applied for the course, eight were selected: five engineers, a product designer and two social scientists, with an equal number of males and females selected.

Professor Steve Brown, Head of the College of Engineering at Swansea University said:

“This new course is an exciting development that brings together multidisciplinary teams of students. Students are selected from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines and work together on projects in the important area of Development, particularly in the International context. We are delighted with the achievements of our fist graduates and we are very grateful for the help and support of the Prince’s Foundation.”

The event at Dumfries House was in recognition of a number of degrees and programmes supported by the Prince’s Foundation and recognised the importance of the SEM4ID programme.  Awards were presented to those who had excelled on the various programmes including Arron Goodfellow from SEM4ID who received a personal (top student) award.

Simon Sadinsky, Deputy Executive Director at The Prince’s Foundation, said: "Following the successful merger of some of His Royal Highness's charities in April this year, our graduation event offered a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts of those who have studied on the wide range of programmes by The Prince's Foundation.  Dumfries House, whose education and training initiatives have yielded many success stories in the past decade, provided a fitting setting to recognise the achievements of students on a variety of courses. The Prince was delighted to meet those who have undertaken study as part of his Foundation and to offer words of encouragement to those set to embark on new opportunities."

An event to promote the course to new students and raise awareness of the Sustainable Engineering Research and International Student Experience trips at Swansea University was held on 8 November at Swansea University.

IMAGES

Top: The event at Dumfries was attended by the 2017 cohort of Swansea University students on the MSc in Sustainable Engineering Management for International Development (SEM4ID):Charlotte Fenn; Arron Goodfellow; Simon Ntramah; Gaurab Rawal; Lucy Pemble; Alanah Pople; Carl Canaan; Clara Silva.

Bottom: Arron Goodfellow from the SEM4ID course receiving a personal (top student) award.