Boeing endows engineering chair at The University of Queensland

The Boeing Company is providing $1.55 million to fund a Chair of Systems Engineering at The University of Queensland in Brisbane.

The Chair will boost Australia's capacity to build and design complex engineering systems and enable the University to take on a leadership role in the area.

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, said the funding would enable UQ to establish one of the few systems engineering programs in the country.

'Systems Engineering involves the design and building of large and very complex systems such as a modern airliner. This requires interdisciplinary expertise, and it is vitally important for Australia to have the capacity to build or contribute to such systems,' Professor Hay said.

'UQ and the Boeing Company have established a strong relationship over the past three years, and I warmly welcome this latest, important development.'

Patrick Gill, Boeing Vice-President, 737 AEW&C Programs, said "Boeing is happy to be able to help further improve the outstanding capabilities of The University of Queensland's engineering programs.

'Boeing Australia, with headquarters in Brisbane, has a continual requirement for highly capable engineers to work advanced projects, including our Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system for the Commonwealth. The proximity of the University to these Boeing operations makes it an ideal source for these well trained engineering graduates,' Mr Gill said

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture, Professor Andrew Lister, said the chair would be filled by a world-class candidate after an international search.

'The chair will take on a leadership role in developing support teaching and research in Systems Engineering. In particular, a Master of Systems Engineering degree will be introduced,' Professor Lister said.

'UQ hopes to use material developed for the Boeing Company by the University of Southern California and the University of Missouri, as well as material we develop ourselves. The University will also provide support for the chair with the appointment of a full-time post-doctoral research fellow.'

The Chair, which will be in UQ's School of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, is part of the Boeing Company's 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control Wedgetail Australian Industry Involvement program.

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. Boeing also is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners, military aircraft and satellites and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. As of March 2001, Boeing and its subsidiaries employ approximately 198,800 people. Total company revenues for 2000 were $51 billion.

Media: for more information please contact Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications (tel. 07 3365 1088 or 0413 380012) or Ken Morton, Director of Communications Australia/New Zealand at The Boeing Company (tel. 02-9317 4767 or 0438 764 100)