About Us
The National Committee on Engineering Design (NCED) aims to promote design excellence and awareness through media of publications, conferences and both national and international exhibitions. Engineering Design addresses issues of creating and delivering innovative, useful, reliable and economical technical solutions to meet human wants or needs. One of our main objectives is to promote links between industry, and tertiary and secondary learning institutions for the strategic development of design learning and experience in all aspects of design.
The Weir Warman Student Design-and-Build Competition is sponsored and funded by Weir Warman International and organised by the NCED. Now in its 20th year, the competition is an annual event for second-year students in the Mechanical Engineering courses at universities throughout Australia and New Zealand. The competitions main focus is on educational issues and identifying and encouraging the designers of the future.
Committee Members
| Alex Churches | Chair |
| Cliff Green | Deputy Chair |
| Andrew Ednie | Member |
| Colin Burvill | Member |
| Chris Snook | Member |
| Paul van de Loo | Member |
| Allan Wightley | Member |
| Warren Smith | National Organiser for Weir Warman Competition |
Corresponding Members
- John Price
- Peter McGowan
- Nathan Scott
Related Groups
Directions Statement
These comments form a basis for discussion for future paths which our committee might take.
Raison d'Etre
To promote and support the development of design engineering in Australia and to promulgate its importance to the economy, our quality of life, and a sustainable future.
Conduit Organisations
Schools
- A design or creative element nurtured in all school activities, projects and exercises.
University & Tertiary Centres
- Support for programs and people who incorporate design and creativity into courses. A strong push to promote a design (synthesis) stream as a counter to the research (analysis) stream.
Within and Throughout the Institution
- Committies, Societies, Colleges, Executive, city and country.
Other Professional Associations
- ACEA
- APESA
- AIM (Australian Institute of Management)
- DIA
- AAEE
Business & Business Associations
- Area business associations
- Community organisations
- Rotary, Lions, Apex
Media
- Newspapers
- Radio
- Television
- Internet
- Journals
Government: Local, State, Federal & Quasi-Government
- Political groups at these levels plus defence, power, transport & water authorities.
Possible Activities (Across All Conduit Organisations)
- Recognition of design in engineering, engineering designers and participants at all levels, nationally and internationally.
- Support of the Australian Design Awards, Engineering Excellence Awards etc, providing or nominating judges, providing design awards at Universities or guidance to companies wishing to sponsor awards, possibly eventually taking over the Australian Design Awards and then making them an international award.
- Design recognition through member accolades or titles (eg the Italian or German prefix Ing).
Publications & Articles
- To media, government, IEAust Journal, schools etc ie all of the above organisations.
Advertising
- Direct, indirect & orchestrated advertising of all activities, publications, awards, programs, etc.
Sponsorship
- Of visiting speakers, prizes, renowned designers, student designers, growth industries utilizing design as a core activity, orchestrating such.
Literature & information identification & dissemination
- A direction, cataloging & support service, worldwide & web based. The orchestration or implementation.
Competitions
- Such as the Weir Minerals Competition. Schools web based competitions. Support of existing design oriented competitions (eg Solar Marathon) & possible eventual orchestration. Eventually the implementation of international competitions.
Standards liaison
- Input, guidance or nominations to any design related standards committee, nationally or internationally.
Body of final approval for design certification authorities
- An ambition to become the recognised umbrella for all design certification bodies.
Establishment of a national, design engineer register
- Who does what in Australia, successes, projects.
Education
- Design support. Advocation of a design stream through to higher degrees in addition to a research stream.
Syllabus or program, input or consultation access
- At all levels, schools, universities, business training.
Lectures, papers & presentations
- Not only at academic forums, but at business luncheons, Rotary meetings, Executive training sessions etc.
Visiting speaker curriculum
- Identifying overseas high profile or highly competent speakers, organising, sponsor organisation, orchestration.
Exhibitions
- From local school exhibitions to major equipment or service exhibitions, providing input, identifying resources, recommending structure.
Seminars, workshops & demonstrations
- Use of new prototyping techniques, software, influencing technical seminars to incorporate a design element & design issues.
Initiation of a national design archive
- Great design achievements, people, effects.
Implementation & maintenance of international engineering design association liaisons
- Provision or encouragement of Australian participants at the international level.
Liaison & communication
- Between all design related bodies and input provided for all design issues nationally & internationally.
Guidance on intellectual property protection
- To individuals, industry and on policy formulation.
Strategic Plan
Mission
To develop engineering design such that it is seen as a distinct competency adding to the achievement of sustainable national development.
Critical Success Factors and Key Strategies
1. Convince both politicians and industry leaders about the crucial role design has to play in revitalising industry.
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Provide for industry representation on the NCED
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Work through the Institution of Engineers
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Conference presentations and participation
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Arrange for publicity (eg. Engineers Australia)
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Lobby politicians
2. Create a pool of good experienced local designers
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Sponsor competitions (eg. Warman Competition)
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Sponsor excellence awards
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Develop clear and rewarding career paths
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Influence young people in schools
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Involve more women
3. Improve the quality of education in engineering design
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Influence the way Universities select staff
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Educate present teaching staff
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Arrange for design lectures to be given
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Develop teacher resource kits
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Engage eminent speakers
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Develop WEB page
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Influence engineering course carricula
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Develop compentency standards
4. Develop and document best practice
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Issue project / product design checklist
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Develop engineering data base
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Prepare appropriate guidelines
Contact Us
For any enquiries regarding the National Committee on Engineering Design please contact:
Committee Administrator
P: 02 6270 6539
E: nced@engineersaustralia.org.au
Engineers Australia
Engineering House
11 National Cct
Barton ACT 2600
