Final Year Project students in the School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) recently had the opportunity to present their work in a professional setting, as part of a group presentation session held on Monday 13th April.

We were delighted to welcome Dr Marc Thomas from NATS (the UK’s leading air traffic service provider), who joined the session as an external industry expert. His participation provided students with valuable insights into real-world expectations and practices in the aviation sector.

During the session, student groups presented their project progress and approaches, receiving constructive feedback not only from academic staff but also from an industry perspective. This external engagement helped students better understand how their work aligns with current operational challenges and industry needs, particularly in the area of aircraft turnaround time predictions at airports.

The session forms part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen links with industry and to enhance student learning through authentic, practice-oriented experiences. We are grateful to Dr Thomas and NATS for their continued support and collaboration.