The ICE Academic Partnerships scheme provides tailored professional development opportunities for students at universities with accredited civil engineering courses. The arrangement enhances students’ employability and prepares them for life as professionally qualified civil engineers.
The scheme also supports academic staff by offering lifelong learning resources for their continuing professional development (CPD), as well as access to research funds, teaching materials and industry expertise.
Professor Anusha Shah, ICE President, joined Professor Tansy Jessop, University of Bristol Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, in the Reception Room at the Wills Memorial Building to sign the ICE Academic Partner Charter.
Professor Tansy Jessop said: “We are delighted to be entering into an academic partnership with ICE, as it will set our civil engineering students one step further on the road to professional life and strengthen relations with industry.
“For academic staff, the partnership brings fresh opportunities to engage in professional development led by the institution.“We are looking forward to a productive relationship of mutual learning about the latest trends and ideas in civil engineering.”
Professor Shah said: “The ICE is looking forward to working closely with the University of Bristol to help civil engineering students begin their journey to professional qualification and give them a head start on their career path.
“By helping to create a culture of early professionalism among civil engineering students, we are sowing the seeds to ensure we have the future talent to meet the challenges of building a more nature and people positive world.”
Through the Academic Partnership programme, the ICE will help students at the University of Bristol develop their professional portfolios through a raft of enrichment opportunities. They may also benefit from valuable careers connections and an industry buddy scheme, giving them access to the ICE’s network of 95,000 members across the UK and beyond.
By the time of their graduation, the partnership means students will have met the educational base for Incorporated Engineer registration and can go on to become professional members of the ICE, which is highly beneficial for their career development.
The University of Bristol is the third university in the South West region to become an ICE Academic Partner and joins 26 institutions across the UK on the ICE Academic Partnership scheme.