Each year, third-year engineering students from the School of Engineering and Informatics come together for the "Industrial Design Seminar," where they address real-world problems presented by leading professionals from the engineering sector. This year’s seminar, held on December 5th and 6th, featured guest contributions from Sussex alumnus Rupert Bravery (Economics, 1981), Chairman of the International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO), and ISCO council member Zäl Rustom. Students also received guidance from faculty members, led by event organizers Dr. Rizuwana Parween, Assistant Professor in Engineering and Dr. Mark Puttock-Brown, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering.

The seminar challenged students with two significant environmental problems:

1. Mechanical solutions for recovering plastic nurdles and marine plastics from shorelines
2. Electronic solutions using reconnaissance drones to survey polluted shorelines and direct cleanup efforts

To inspire their designs, students were presented with a case study of the X-Press Pearl disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka and explored current trends in shoreline cleanup. Working in teams, they started from scratch, conceptualizing their solutions through drawings, notes, and calculations. The seminar concluded with student presentations, where their designs were evaluated, and cash prizes—generously sponsored by Honorary Professor Ian Colwill, CEO of Catalyst Corporation—were awarded to the top designs in each category.

Dr. Mark Puttock-Brown highlighted the significance of such events:
“This seminar exemplifies how we strive to enrich the student experience by integrating real-world challenges, employability skills, and networking opportunities into their education.”

The benefits for students and industry partners were equally apparent. ISCO Chairman Rupert Bravery reflected on the collaboration:

“Throughout the project, Team-ISCO shared experiences and commercial insights with the students, who responded with enthusiasm and curiosity. It was truly inspiring to see the teams progress from blank sheets of paper to credible, commercially viable solutions.”

The Department of Engineering and Design looks forward to the next Industrial Design Seminar in late 2025, continuing its mission to blend academic excellence with hands-on, impactful learning experiences.