b'10 Partner News Spring 2024AcademicJudging the Excellence and Innovation Awards By Professor Bal Virdee, Head of the Centre for Communications Engineering at London Metropolitan University Engineers, the catalyst for progress, possessTechnology, Future Mobility, Healthby innovation, sustainability, and positive the ability to transform abstract ideas intoTechnology, Net Zero and Climate Action,societal impact. In the face of complex tangible realities. Their prowess lies in notSustainability, and Technology for Socialchallenges, engineers, as showcased by the only being adept problem solvers but also inImpact. Excellence and Innovation Awards, emerge their unwavering commitment to fosteringas beacons of hope, illuminating the path innovation and unearthing groundbreakingThe awards ceremony unfolded withtowards a brighter and more resilient future.solutions. In the relentless pursuit ofgrandeur on Wednesday 15 November, progress, engineers continuously push thewithin the inspiring confines of the GlasgowA list of the 2023 winners can be found boundaries, addressing intricate challengesScience Centre. This momentous event notat www.theiet.org/innovation. Entries that span both societal and environmentalonly acknowledged the brilliance of individualfor our 2024 awards will be opening in landscapes. engineers but also served as a testamentmid-April, and we encourage you to visit to the collective power of the engineeringthe site, make an entry, and join us to As the world grapples with thecommunity in shaping a future markedcelebrate once more. unprecedented crisis of climate change, the need for imaginative and creative solutions has reached an unprecedented urgency. The backdrop of this global challenge makes the role of engineers even more pivotal, as they become instrumental in devising sustainable and impactful interventions to mitigate the effects of climate change. In recognition of their pivotal role, the IET Excellence and Innovation Awards emerge as a beacon, honouring and celebrating the trailblazing innovations and best practices within the domains of engineering, science, and technology.At the 2023 Excellence and Innovation Awards I stood alongside other distinguished judges. Together, we had the distinct honour of presenting the winners, whose contributions resonated across variousLeft to right: Sophie Harker MIET (Assistant Chief Engineer of Electric Products, BAE Systems), Dr Michele Fiorini FIET categories. The accolades spanned the(Principal Engineer, LEONARDO, Aerospace, Defence and Security), Laura Hoang MIET (Senior Human Factors Consultant), spectrum of AI and Robotics, EmergingLeanne Case (Director / CEO Vzir Consulting), Prof. Bal Virdee (Professor of Communications Technology, London Metropolitan University), Keith Rigby FIET (Principal Technologist, BAE Systems), Prof. Henry Tse FIET (Director of New Technology, Future Cities and SmartMobility Technologies,Connected Places Catapult)'