Engineers of the future win global prize

TecQuipment was founded in 1985 by the University of Nottingham’s Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Sir Joseph Pope. Since then, they have gone on to design, manufacture and supply more than 400 products used in the education of engineering worldwide.

Every year, TecQuipment’s Student Engineer Competition invites budding engineers to propose an engineering theory or concept, and then practically test it using equipment developed by the company. It’s an opportunity for engineering students to show off their knowledge and expertise to industry, while receiving recognition that boosts career prospects.

This year, Jonathan Hutchins and Iain Charlton, Mechanical Engineering students at Solent, took home first prize. Their win marks the first time in three years that students at a UK university have won the competition, with the previous two winners hailing from North America. Iain says:

“Winning the competition has helped us recognise our own ability. I didn’t plan on going into engineering when I was at school, but after exploring several paths, I’ve found where I truly belong.

“Solent provides a unique and supportive learning environment that was instrumental to our success, and this experience has confirmed that I’m heading in the right direction.”

Jonathan and Iain’s win secured them more than £1,000 in prize money, for their project identifying unknown materials using mechanical properties and experimental testing. Mechanical Engineering student and competition winner, Jonathan Hutchins says:

“At Solent, we have been exposed to several varied practical demonstrations and experiments to aid our understanding of the theory, and this has been instrumental in our success. The University not only gave us this opportunity, but the skills we needed to compete.

“A thank you goes to my teammate, Iain, and our tutor, Abdulla Tahhan, who suggested the competition and helped to facilitate our success.”

Solent’s Mechanical Engineering degree ranked in the topic three for teaching in the 2024 National Student Survey, showcasing the quality of the course in producing the engineers of tomorrow. The University’s Department of Science and Engineering is home to an applied mechanics lab alongside a materials testing and advanced manufacturing laboratory. It’s facilities like these that help give students practical skills which lead them to successes like Jonathan and Iain’s TecQuipment win.

Engineering Lecturer, Dr Abdulla Tahhan, says:

"We’re incredibly proud of our students, Iain and Jonathan, for winning the grand final of the international TecQuipment competition. As second-year students competing – and winning – against some of the best teams globally, they’ve truly shown what’s possible with talent, hard work and a supportive environment. Their achievement is a testament to Solent’s commitment to hands-on, applied learning which equips students not only with technical knowledge but also the confidence and adaptability needed to excel in real-world engineering challenges. This win demonstrates how we support and empower our students to aim high, take initiative, and succeed."

To further enhance learning and teaching in this area Solent, as the lead partner of the South Coast Institute of Technology, is preparing to open a cutting-edge facility dedicated to teaching in this, and other technological areas, in the summer of 2025.