The prize was awarded by systems and engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash as part of its continuing involvement with the Systems Centre based at Bristol University (a collaborative venture with Bath University). The prize was awarded at the Centre’s Open Day last week.

The Systems Centre was established in 2006 with a £3.4 million EngD Centre award from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), followed up with a £5 million Industrial Doctorate Centre award from EPSRC this year, and is one of the leading academic centres of excellence in systems engineering in the UK. Research projects are typically highly multidisciplinary, encompassing the traditional engineering disciplines, engineering management and computer science, with an overarching vision of managing systems for enhanced performance.

The Engineering Doctorate, or EngD, is an alternative to the traditional PhD, designed for talented individuals with an industrial focus. A company sponsors the EngD student, known as a Research Engineer, for four years, to carry out doctoral-level research on a project of direct relevance to the company.  The Research Engineer is fully integrated into the company, spending approximately 75% of their time there. The Research Engineer is advised by two academic supervisors and by an industrial supervisor based within the company.

Director of the Centre, Professor Patrick Godfrey, of Bristol University's Department of Civil Engineering, said: 'The Systems Centre is developing industry leaders of tomorrow, equipping them not only with technical engineering skills, but also with the personal and professional skills to be effective leaders.' He continued: 'We greatly value our relationship with Frazer-Nash who we have worked closely with for a number of years.'

Ian Watson, Frazer-Nash Systems Engineering Consultant, said: 'We are very proud to be supporting the Systems Centre, which is widely regarded as one of the leading academic centres for systems engineering in the UK.

'Through our sponsorship of the most outstanding published paper award and our presence on the Centre’s Strategic Advisory Board we aim to help maintain the great work already achieved in developing the most promising research engineers and leaders.'

Frazer-Nash plays an active role in supporting the Systems Centre, which includes supporting two Research Engineers (EngD students), delivering guest lectures on the programme and sitting on the Strategic Advisory Board.