The School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering here at 91Ö±²¥, in collaboration with Matrix TSL and Magnokinetics Ltd, have received the Best University-Led, Industrially Focused Skills Intervention Award for its pioneering "Practical PEMD for All" project (10033254), awarded by the Innovate UK & the Electric Revolution Skills Hub.
Congratulations to Dr. Panos Lazari (PI), Dr. Panagiotis Panagiotou (CoI), Dr. Raja Toqeer (CoI), Dr. Mahmoud Masoud (CoI), Professor Antonio Griffo (CoI), and Tom Wray (Software Engineer) for their invaluable contributions to the project.
This prestigious recognition celebrates the project team’s outstanding efforts in bridging the gap between education and industry by providing innovative, practical training in Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD).
Addressing the PEMD Skills Gap
The Practical PEMD for All project is a strategic response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the rapidly evolving electrification sector. Developed through a partnership between the School of Electrical and Electronic, Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, Matrix TSL and Magnokinetics Ltd, the initiative provides accessible, cost-effective and industry-aligned training in PEMD. The project features:
Advanced 1kW EV emulators designed by the university to replicate real-world industrial applications.
Modular teaching kits developed by Matrix TSL for broad adoption in further education and vocational training.
A bespoke remote learning platform, allowing students and professionals to engage with practical training regardless of their location.
Through this multi-faceted approach, the project has already trained over 200 students, equipping them with industry-relevant skills to meet the UK's growing workforce demands in power electronics and electrification. The team is especially proud of this project because it actively involved learners from both undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts as well as graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) in delivering its outcomes.
Industry Recognition and Impact
The project has gained significant industry recognition, with partnerships spanning Pearson Education, Further Education Colleges, and leading UK universities (University of Warwick, Coventry University). The initiative has been showcased at major industry events, including IET
PEMD 2024 and the International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM 2024), where it attracted widespread interest from academia and the private sector.
The Innovate UK award acknowledges not only the project’s technical excellence but also its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). By integrating a remote lab platform, open-access resources, and targeted outreach efforts, Practical PEMD for All ensures that learners from diverse backgrounds regardless of geography or financial constraints, can gain essential engineering skills.
Looking to the Future
Building on this success, the project team aims to expand its reach both nationally and internationally, supporting the next generation of engineers as the UK transitions to a more electrified and sustainable future.