New Engineering Foundation
Encyclopedia
The New Engineering Foundation (NEF) is a UK-based not for profit registered charity and think tank founded in 2004 by Prof. Sa'ad Medhat, which focuses on developing vocational education. The organisation works to improve standards of teaching and training in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), through working closely with further education colleges and businesses throughout the United Kingdom, and provides direct services to technical professionals in the learning and skills sector. It also works with government to affect policy and increase standards in vocational education.
Masterclasses and Briefings - Professional development masterclasses and briefings on a variety of STEM topics, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, low carbon technologies and digital communications.
Industrial Fellowship Scheme - A national scheme which enables each participating college to apply for a grant towards the secondment of up to three Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lecturers to take secondments in industry, with local businesses or research organisations. The scheme updates teaching programmes and methods and enables them to develop relationship with local businesses. The IFS scheme has engaged more than 160 further education colleges, and has seen FE lecturers seconded to over 350 companies nationwide.
NEF Assured - A standard developed by NEF for assuring deliverers of training in a particular sector. This assures organisations which deliver in-house training by adding a sector specific component to existing and widely used quality assurance standards and systems. The standard is targeted towards businesses and learning providers operating in the specific sectors including Aerospace, Power, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Nuclear, Health, Transportation, and the Environment.
STEM Assured - A standard specifically developed for colleges by NEF to assure quality in an integrated, cross-curricular approach to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teaching in further education. The process involves a critical review of a provider's strategy and approach to ensure their vocational STEM offer meets the needs of employers and sectors. The standard adds an industry-led assurance component to existing quality standards and systems.
Activities
NEF is involved in multiple areas of educational development, including:Masterclasses and Briefings - Professional development masterclasses and briefings on a variety of STEM topics, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, low carbon technologies and digital communications.
Industrial Fellowship Scheme - A national scheme which enables each participating college to apply for a grant towards the secondment of up to three Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lecturers to take secondments in industry, with local businesses or research organisations. The scheme updates teaching programmes and methods and enables them to develop relationship with local businesses. The IFS scheme has engaged more than 160 further education colleges, and has seen FE lecturers seconded to over 350 companies nationwide.
NEF Assured - A standard developed by NEF for assuring deliverers of training in a particular sector. This assures organisations which deliver in-house training by adding a sector specific component to existing and widely used quality assurance standards and systems. The standard is targeted towards businesses and learning providers operating in the specific sectors including Aerospace, Power, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Nuclear, Health, Transportation, and the Environment.
STEM Assured - A standard specifically developed for colleges by NEF to assure quality in an integrated, cross-curricular approach to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teaching in further education. The process involves a critical review of a provider's strategy and approach to ensure their vocational STEM offer meets the needs of employers and sectors. The standard adds an industry-led assurance component to existing quality standards and systems.