20 July 2006
A student from Farnborough College of Technology has received national recognition for the excellence of his final year project in aeronautical engineering.
Matthew Narkiewicz was runner-up in the annual awards ceremony of the Association of Aerospace Universities (AUU) on 20 July, which is open to students from across the country.
Matthew’s project, called The Development of a Direct Pressure Injection System, seeks to enhance gas turbine engine performance and was one of just four projects short-listed to win the Dr John Barnes Trophy. Matthew won £300 for his efforts and is continuing his studies next year at Cranfield University. He has just finished his BSc (Hons) Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Farnborough.
Dr Barnes was a student at Farnborough in the late 1950s/early 1960s and has been a key figure in setting up the AUU – an organisation designed to support the nation’s aerospace industry.
Stuart Murray, head of the School of Engineering, said: "This is an outstanding piece of work and we are delighted that Matthew has received the recognition for it.
"The College has a long-term commitment to providing opportunities for students within the aeronautical and aerospace industries. We have recently won the SkillAir Centre of Vocational Excellence to tackle the aeronautical skill shortage."
This is the eighth year the award has been presented and the second time that Farnborough College has played host. The Dr John Barnes Trophy was won by Farnborough student Jonathan Cooper in 2004.