Chairman's Report
My first duty as we stand at the dawn of a New Year is to thank my predecessor, Professor Dennis Wilcock for his skill and determination in steering first PEl.
Now the PENE goes forward, during times of
constant change
-times
when others, notably the Engineering Council and the Engineering Institutions
are preoccupied with redirection of their own
headquarters structures. It seems that Institution members in the regions have
become even further removed from central action and funding.
It would have been too easy for North East regional activities to have come to an abrupt halt at the end of 2000, due to central neglect and disinterest.
However, with the valuable support of the Engineering Institution branch memberships, your Professional Engineers North East Committee has gone from strength to strength in addressing the challenges we set ourselves two years ago.
Our annual Prestige Lecture is now, not only well established, but is a platform for communicating to professional engineers. The success we are having in stimulating the vibrant interest of our young people in the Engineering Profession.
As you will see from other sections of this updated Newsletter, we have become a significant facilitator and fund raiser in our collaboration with both local and national initiatives. The PENE Committee has during 2002, opened up its membership to representatives of SETPOINT and the EES in order to become a contributing part of what is being done nationally and regionally. We are proud, yet again, to have been associated with the talented young people who gained success in the 2002 Young Engineers for Britain Competition and the Engineering Education Scheme.
As professional engineers, we owe it to the generations which follow us, to promote the Profession in schools and colleges. Please support us through active membership of the regional branch of your engineering institution.
John Crook RD* C.Eng F.MarEST, F.InstD