King’s could be set to close its Engineering division as part of a restructuring exercise.

 A final decision will be made tomorrow (June 3) at the college’s Academic Board.

Undergraduates studying Engineering read on the college’s website on Friday that it was “considering transforming its School of Physical Sciences & Engineering (PSE) to create a School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (SN&MS).”

It continued: “This exciting development would reinforce the significant existing presence in physics, chemistry and biology across the College.”

It went on to outline a reorganisation of science teaching at King’s, concluding: “This would result in the closure of the Division of Engineering as an administrative and undergraduate teaching unit.”

The students are up in arms over the decision. Engineer Adrian Ng said: “Even though KCL is disguising the merger of the departments as something wonderful, the Div Eng is being thrown to the dogs.

“My colleagues and I are now very scared of what this means to the credibility of our degrees and our future careers.”

Members of Facebook group ‘Save the Division of Engineering at King’s College London’ also bemoan a lack of consultation.

In an email to Engineering students, Pete Ellender, acting President of KCLSU, said: “This is obviously distressing news, I’m sure compounded by the fact that you will have heard either via the grapevine or College homepage.

“I would like to reassure you that I have personally highlighted to the Principal that the way information regarding these plans has been disseminated to students has been entirely inadequate and inappropriate.

“I also acknowledge that these plans have been announced during the exam period, and has doubtless added to the stress that we all experience whilst being assessed.”

A KCL spokesperson said: “King’s College London is considering a proposal for a new School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences – this is very different from announcing the establishment of such a School (and/or the closing of engineering).

“Should this idea be supported at various levels in the College, existing students would still complete their degrees.  The last intake of UG Engineering would be in 2009/10 and the new School would be fully established by 2012/13.”

Even if they are allowed to complete their courses, students say they are worried about how a degree from a defunct department will look on their CVs.

There is speculation that the plans are due to the Engineering department’s failure to perform well under the new Research Assessment Exercise rules.

The RAE allocates government research funding to universities.

Changes to the formula used left King’s £794,024 out of pocket; a fact which coupled with the economic situation leaves students dismissive of the idea that the moves have nothing to do with cutting costs.

One Response to “KCL Engineering department could close”