Changes are in store, as Professor David Newland ends his term as Head of Department, after nearly seven years, to return to teaching and research. Professor Keith Glover will succeed him as Head of Department in October. Also Professor Calladine and Professor Ffowcs Williams retire at the end of the academical year after many years distinguished service while Professor Mike Kelly joins the Department as Prince Philip Professor of Technology (a new chair).

Over a hundred new graduate students began work in the Department during the year (mostly to do research for a PhD) and the number of applications for admission continues to rise, with approaching a thousand applicants for entry in 2003. This is happening alongside a continuing substantial growth in the number and size of funded research projects. In particular, there has been a large increase in activity in Electrical Engineering, following the arrival of Professor Ian White with his research group from Bristol, and, more recently, Professor Harry Coles from Southampton. Our success was recognised by a 5*A rating in the Government's 5-yearly Research Assessment Exercise, 2001.

Professor Newland retires as chairman of the CUEA at its annual meeting in September and Professor Glover has been nominated by the Committee for election as his successor. Sadly the Association will also be looking for a new Secretary as Dr Malcolm Macleod will also be retiring at the same meeting, as he will be leaving the Engineering Department later this year to return to industry.