The Royal Academy of Engineering(RAE) held its Strategy 2025-30 consultation on 15th October 2024 in the The Event Space, Ormeau Baths in Belfast.
The discussion was hosted by Academy President, Dr John Lazar CBE FREng and RAE CEO, Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE.
The Irish Academy of Engineering, who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2022 with the RAE to work together on shared interests, were represented at the event by Past Presidents Tom Leahy (2021-2023) and Jim Browne (2019-2021).
The Objective of the consultation was to gain insight into perceptions and priorities relating to the Academy and engineering and how these can be improved and addressed.
This resulted in a wide-ranging discussion across all areas of RAE work (Enterprise, Research, Policy and Public Engagement and Diversity and Inclusion.)
Two of the questions which the RAE were we are particularly keen to hear views on were:
- What were the key trends in engineering, technology and society which could impact on the Academy’s strategy 2025-2030?
- What are the biggest opportunity for the Academy to deliver greater societal impact in NI over the next five years?
This was also an opportunity for the RAE and IAE to reflect on the shared projects underway in the RAE Enterprise Hub in Belfast including the People & Place study Ireland building on the success of the 2022 UK report on the contribution of Engineering to the UK economy.
It was a great opportunity to meet in person Dr. John Lazar who succeeded Sir Jim McDonald as RAE President and to be briefed by RAE CEO, Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE on the RAE workplan.