AEngD - launched in 2010

The AEngD is building an active community of Engineering Doctorate (EngD) stakeholders.

Initially a community of Engineering Doctorate providers (EPSRC-funded Industrial Doctorate Centres, IDCs), the Association of Engineering Doctorates was launched in 2010.

17 November 2010 - The inaugural meeting of the AEngD steering group was held on 17 November 2010, and 19 IDCs were involved in its foundation. The group, chaired by Prof. Patrick Godfrey, one of three EPSRC industrial advocates and director of the IDC in Systems (Bristol and Bath), identified the AEngD's immediate key objectives:

• to build and promote the EngD brand – across industry, academia, professional institutions and among prospective Research Engineers
• to promote EngD programmes.

The steering group then drew up a more detailed set of aims and a constitution. It also commissioned a website to be used to support its stakeholders.

13 January 2011 - Five new IDCs created and invited to join the AEngD

March 2012 - Second generation AEngD website launched, listing 22 IDC members (so far).

4 July 2012 - AEngD creates new Affiliate member category and welcomes Eindhoven Education Institute from the Netherlands as its first affiliate. Sets the November date for its official launch. Over 120 individual members already signed up to AEngD website.

1 November 2012 - AEngD officially launched with conference at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, addressed by Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts MP and EPSRC chairman Dr Paul Golby. Over 120 people, including representatives of 25 IDCs, attend event to mark 20th anniversary of the launch of the EngD programme in the UK.

26 November 2013 - Second AEngD national conference held, at Building Centre, London, and first winners of the AEngD Engineering Research Writer of the Year Awards announced.

2 May 2014 - Minister for Universities and Science, Rt Hon David Willetts MP, echoes AEngD call for further support for EngD qualification.