Star student Emma Latham claimed a special award at her Bournemouth University graduation ceremony with Dorset structural steel firm REIDsteel.
Emma was among four mechanical engineering students to work with the Christchurch-based firm on a hangar doors project.
She received a Student Design Award for the excellence of her project report titled ‘Improving the safety of aircraft hangar doors with REIDsteel’.
Richard Hanson, REIDsteel’s Pre-Construction Director, presented Emma with her award certificate when she graduated with a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree.
He said: “Congratulations to Emma on her graduation and for winning this richly deserved award.
“She, and her fellow mechanical engineering students, are a credit to themselves and Bournemouth University.
“All at REIDsteel have been impressed tremendously by their aptitude, enthusiasm, and commitment on the hangar doors project.
“We greatly value our links with Bournemouth University and wish Emma the very best for the future.”
REIDsteel – the trading name of John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd – is working with Bournemouth University on a new hangar door system to improve safety and useability. Mechanical engineering students used it as the topic for their final project.
Mr Hanson and Head of Technical John Harrison have been among the experts involved with students and the department of design and engineering. Dr Diogo Montalvao, head of the design and engineering department at Bournemouth University, was Emma’s final year project supervisor.
High-flyer Emma, aged 22, of Canterbury, Kent, is a founder and former president of the Bournemouth University Women in STEM Society.
She said: “It was a very special moment to receive the prize.
“A huge thank you to John Harrison, Richard Hanson and all at REIDsteel for the opportunity to work on the hangar doors topic for our final project.
“I am also grateful for all of the support and guidance offered by Dr Diogo Montalvao, head of the design and engineering department at Bournemouth University.”
REIDsteel has built strong links with education and the community, including sponsorship of Dorset Chamber’s Young Chamber initiative.
It recently attended the Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster’s Careers in Tomorrow’s Engineering event to inspire the next generation.
The 130-strong firm designs, engineers, manufactures and builds steel structures across the UK, Europe and the world, including their cladding, glazing and doors.
They range from footbridges in remote parts of Nepal and grain stores in Africa to government buildings in the Caribbean and a super hangar at Biggin Hill Airport which won a prestigious Structural Steel Design Award this autumn.
