Hereford, UK – NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Patricia Xavier as an Associate Professor and Programme Leader for Integrated Engineering. Effective immediately, Dr. Xavier has also taken on the role of Acting Academic Director. This appointment marks a significant development in NMITE’s journey to redefine engineering education for the future.
Dr. Xavier brings a wealth of diverse experiences to her new position. Her career spans from working in a water resources research lab at Hohai University, Nanjing, China, to serving as a Design Engineer at Ove Arup & Partners, where she worked on flood alleviation and wastewater projects with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales. During her tenure at Swansea University, she created and led the Department for General Engineering, focusing on courses that bridged traditional engineering subjects with other disciplines.
James Newby, CEO and President of NMITE, expressed the institution’s excitement about welcoming Dr. Patricia Xavier. He highlighted her extensive background in engineering education, international experience, and commitment to addressing pressing challenges, making her an ideal leader for NMITE. Dr. Xavier’s innovative and holistic approach to engineering education is expected to enrich the institution and empower students to become future change-makers.
Dr. Xavier’s career has evolved from water-related engineering to a broader focus on the societal impacts of engineering and effective methods of education. She co-taught courses that brought social scientists and engineers together, fostering engineers who embraced social sciences and approached their work with humility and reflection, distinct from the common perception of arrogance in the profession.
In her new role as Acting Academic Director at NMITE, Dr. Xavier plans to infuse a social sciences approach into the curriculum and culture. She aims to equip NMITE students with the knowledge and mindset required to address complex issues effectively, with a strong emphasis on authentic assessment to encourage insightful and innovative thinking.
Dr. Patricia Xavier, Acting Academic Director at NMITE, expressed her enthusiasm for working with NMITE’s exceptional team and talented students to make a meaningful impact. She noted that the students at NMITE are highly engaged, talkative, and curious, emphasizing the importance of developing students’ critical consciousness and their ability to stand against injustice.
One of the aspects that Dr. Xavier finds appealing about NMITE is its industry-led approach to education, bridging the gap between academia and industry effectively. She believes in the importance of active learning and industry engagement, which can be challenging to implement in traditional university settings. The commitment to small-group facilitated active learning at NMITE allows for a more in-depth focus on professional communication and situational awareness, essential skills for engineering professionals.
Dr. Patricia Xavier is currently working on an advanced Masters-level module on Wind Energy Infrastructure, co-taught with Octopus Energy. This challenge-led module focuses on developing a proposal for a new windfarm, considering the views of local communities, energy professionals, and other stakeholders.
Dr. Xavier’s appointment and her dedication to transforming engineering education signify an exciting step forward for NMITE’s mission and its commitment to preparing students for the engineering challenges of the future.