Coventry University student wins top engineering award

A Coventry University student, Peter Hutyan, has won the Baroness Platt of Writtle Award for 2012.  Given out by the Worshipful Company of Engineers (WCE), in conjunction with the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), this award recognises the outstanding achievements of final year engineering students across the UK.

Created in 2002, this national competition is open to final year students whose degrees are accredited by the IET. It is made annually to recognise engineering excellence and is given to the student judged to have excelled in their studies and to have demonstrated excellent communication skills and leadership skills.

The prize is named after Baroness Platt of Writtle CBE FREng, herself an engineering icon and high flyer, in recognition of her work in support of the profession. Peter is the fifth Coventry student who has won this accolade in the past seven years, making the University the most successful institution in the award’s history. Past winners from Coventry include Rachael Meadows, Mark Foster, Christopher Newton and Robert Moon.

Peter is currently focusing his engineering skills on helping to develop Coventry University’s new ‘Phoenix Racing’ Formula Student car, which is set to compete against over 130 student teams from 34 countries at Silverstone in July.

Bill Dunn, associate head of Mechanical Engineering, said:

I am delighted that Peter has won the award, as he has been outstanding academically and has a strong track record of engineering design and development, including completing a successful placement year with Audi Hungaria Motor as an engine test engineer.

Each year we encourage students to enter this competition, so it is great to see five wins since 2005 for Coventry University students. It is a tribute to the strength of our courses and the calibre of students they attracts.

Motorsport Engineering student, Peter Hutyan, said:

It is true privilege to be honoured with such prestigious prize awarded by the Worshipful Company of Engineers. This is the pinnacle of four years hard work that I could not have achieved without the guidance of my dedicated senior lecturers, help from my peers and effective team work with fellow students.

Winners of this prestigious title receive a cash prize of £1,000, a medal and a certificate to recognise their significant achievement. Peter will be presented with his award at a WCE gala dinner in July.

For further information please contact Sarah-Jane Dean, Communications Assistant, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7688 8245 or email sarah-jane.dean@coventry.ac.uk.