The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has declared Robert Eynon as its 2014 Scholar of the Year. Robert is studying for an MEng degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering at the University of York. IC Resources, the award sponsor, presented the award to the Dialog Semiconductor funded UKESF Scholar at the annual NMI electronic systems industry awards, held last night in London.
Robert, who is currently completing his second placement with Dialog Semiconductor, has been working on verification projects for Dialog’s mixed-signal ICs where he has contributed to the development of standardised processes, which will be used across the company. He has also actively supported Dialog in promoting the company to students at university career events.
Since starting his degree, Robert has designed and participated in various events to promote science and engineering to younger students in primary and secondary schools. Most significantly, he recently volunteered as a teaching assistant in a local school supporting year 9 students (13-14 years old) in science lessons on weekly basis during the spring term of his academic year.
Neil Dickins, director of the recruitment company IC Resources, commented, “We are always proud to support UKESF through this award. The work it is doing is invaluable to ensuring the future supply of talent to the electronics industry. The quality of the applicants seems to improve every year, which is testament that our universities are attracting some outstanding students into this discipline. Although a closely run contest, the judges felt that Robert should take the award this year as his work in schools makes him an exemplary role model to young people.”
Rebecca Fradley-Stokes, head of CSR, sustainability and university relations at Dialog Semiconductor added, “Robert is a worthy winner of this award. It is fitting recognition for his achievements as both a promising young engineer and enthusiastic ambassador in attracting younger students to this industry. Whilst at Dialog, he has demonstrated his willingness and aptitude to develop and apply new skills and knowledge and has become a valuable team member. He exemplifies Dialog’s commitments to school and university outreach by his commitment to younger students.
“Robert is one of many excellent students that we have seen through the UKESF scholarship scheme, which is why we continue to support the UKESF programme and we look forward to our next cohort of scholars.”
On winning Robert commented: “Receiving this award is of great value to me, not just on a personal level but also because I can use it to demonstrate the marketability of attaining an engineering degree from a top university like York. I also want to highlight the wider benefits of volunteering in the community to support the development of younger students while at the same time honing your own transferable skills.”
UKESF was founded in 2010 by collaboration of public bodies, private companies and UK universities to address the threat of a diminishing skills base in the UK electronics sector. Its principal aims are to increase and sustain the supply of industry ready graduate engineers and boost career take up in an industry, which has the potential to contribute £120bn to the UK economy and provide 1 million jobs by 2020 .
