1. THE STERLING GROUP “Engineering excellence in UK universities”

2. THE STERLING GROUP Founded in 1998, the Sterling Group is an informal, self funded, consortium of 17 prestigious UK university Engineering Departments Members share a commitment to international excellence in Engineering teaching and research The Sterling group helps members to network and collaborate with leading education institutes in key countries

3. Sterling Group members Aston Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Durham Edinburgh Leeds Loughborough Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Oxford Queens Belfast Southampton Strathclyde Surrey

4. President:Professor Julia King CBE, FREng Aston University Chair:Dr Richard Scott Durham University Administration is handled from the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences at Durham University. Policy is determined at an annual plenary meeting of the whole Group. Policy is implemented by the Chair aided by the Sterling Group executive committee.

5. “Engineering excellence in UK universities” Mission of the Sterling Group: “To establish channels of communication with like minded institutions overseas” The mission is achieved by organising overseas lecture tours that: Emphasise the excellence of teaching and research in Sterling Group universities Raise awareness of the opportunities for collaboration at all levels with Sterling Group universities Raise awareness of the opportunities for students to study in Sterling Group universities Explore opportunities for research collaboration

6. Sterling Group activities are supported by:- The Royal Academy of Engineering The Institution of Civil Engineers The Institution of Mechanical Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers’ Educational Trust

7. The Sterling Group works in close collaboration with the British Council and receives strong British High Commission/Embassy support

8. LECTURE TOURS From its inception in 1998 until 2008 the Sterling Group ran annual lectures tours to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and Singapore. In 2004 the first India tour took place and there have been tours to India every year since. Centres visited include Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Kochi, Coimbatore, Ooty. In 2008 the Group expanded into Vietnam with a first tour to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This was followed by further tours in 2009 and 2010. In September 2011 the tour also included Danang.

9. Tour activities include: Public lectures at schools and leading HE institutes Public meetings Receptions Ministerial meetings The Sterling Group has visited over 180 top schools, junior colleges, colleges, institutes and universities, many several times

10. COLLEGE LECTURES

11. DINNERS & RECEPTIONS

12. COLLEGE LECTURES

13. PUBLIC MEETINGS

14. Building successful partnerships requires: Knowing the quality of the overseas institution and how the institution fits into the overall education system of the country Understanding the education system of the overseas country Understanding the needs and aspirations of the overseas partners Meeting potential collaborators face to face Remembering that there is a learning curve! Sterling Group tours aim to explore all these issues and provide opportunities for members to meet both senior management and academic staff. Sterling Group tours provide a starting point from which members build successful partnerships and take forward international collaborations

15. Contacts are very important! Overseas institutions British Council British High Commissions/Embassies International Offices See also:- www.sterlinggroup.org.uk Members’ pages are password protected Contact engineering.sterling@durham.ac.uk for detailsengineering.sterling@durham.ac.uk Tour reports, contacts, institution details, country background, education systems, plenary meeting minutes etc. (“Public pages” will shortly be revised) Google Analytics used to track hits More information about The Sterling Group can be found at www.sterlinggroup.org.uk or e-mail engineering.sterling@durham.ac.uk for further details