University News Last updated 31 July
探花直播 (BCU) has earned international recognition at the prestigious Formula Student competition, taking home the coveted MIGSO-PCUBED Project Management Award.
Held annually at the iconic Silverstone Circuit and organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Formula Student is a high-profile international motorsport engineering competition that challenges students to design, build, and race a single-seat car.
鈥淏CU has set the standard for project management 鈥� and this is deserved recognition for all the hard work we鈥檝e put in,鈥� said Harsha Penumadu, the team鈥檚 technical advisor.
Now in its 25th year, the UK leg of Formula Student attracts global interest and is backed by industry leaders like Red Bull, MathWorks, Ansys, JLR and Bentley.
Powered by a 70-horsepower Aprilia 550cc engine, BCU competed in the formula class against around 60 other universities.
What made their vehicle stand out was its completely aluminium monocoque body 鈥� an innovative structure inspired by the construction methods of the iconic Spitfire aircraft.
Judges praised BCU for their meticulous project management approach, highlighting the team鈥檚 risk register that anticipated challenges and allocated time and resources to mitigate them.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just about minimising stress - it was about controlling it,鈥� added Harsha.
The BCU team, made up of undergraduate and masters students, began their build in January, often arriving in the workshop at 9am and working through to 9pm.
More than 60 students volunteered their time, expertise and knowledge.
Participants came from a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical engineering, computing, electronics, and business, while students from BCU鈥檚 Arts, Design and Media faculty designed the race car鈥檚 striking livery.
Jon Isaacs, Technical Manager in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, said the project demonstrated the University鈥檚 commitment to practical learning.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very realistic because it鈥檚 all about project-based delivery,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 learning engineering by doing engineering.鈥�
Isaacs added that the project also aligned perfectly with the University鈥檚 2030 strategy.
鈥淚t nails our values,鈥� said. 鈥淚t brought together students from across the University, and it was a completely voluntary project 鈥� there were no extra marks for taking part.鈥�
BCU first entered Formula Student in 2014, and this year鈥檚 success marks a new high in its journey. The university is now regarded as a leader in student-led project management.