Professor Ilias Oraifige, CEng FIMechE FHEA PhD MSc BEng PGCertHE

As Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing (SoEC) at RCL, Professor Ilias Oraifige is most inspired by the opportunity to witness students achieving their dreams and progressing their career and standing in society.

Professor Oraifige holds a PGCert HE and PhD from the University of Wolverhampton. He also holds a BEng Engineering and MSc in Industrial Logistics from Birmingham City University (formerly known as the University of Central England).

Prior to joining RCL, Professor Oraifige served as Faculty Dean at GBS and at Birmingham City University as Head of Engineering. Professor Oraifige also worked at the University of Derby as the Head of the Engineering and Built Environment. He is a qualified chartered engineer and a fellow member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE).

Professor Oraifige’s numerous responsibilities within the higher education sector have involved continuous engagement with the industry, including research and development, developing new courses, short courses, consultancy and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

From 2008 to present, Professor Oraifige has led various higher education departments into a new era leading to significant increase in students and staff numbers and achieved number of successful outcomes including:

Achieving the #11 ranking on the Guardian league table for engineering subjects
Leading the development of the Institute for Innovation in sustainable Engineering (IISE)
Securing number KTPs in collaboration with high-profile industrial partners
Professional accreditation for all programmes
Internationalisation activities, including international market recruitment and collaboration strategy
Expansion of the higher education departmental portfolios across all levels
Securing several external research funding bids

Research

Professor Oraifige’s current research work involves virtual reality and finite element analysis. The main aim of the research is to investigate and develop tools to facilitate the integration of virtual reality and finite elements analysis, as well as providing real-time design analysis capabilities in a virtual environment.

Research track record and secured funding bids include:

Over 100 publications including books, journal papers, conference papers and industrial reports
Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Engineering Simulation
Organiser of the 2007 International Conference on Modelling, Simulation & Visualisation Methods (MSC’07) at the WORLDCOMP’07, Las Vegas
Number of PhD and MPhil Completion as Director of Study
Number of MPhil/PhD Examiner (10+) with a number of universities including University of Wolverhampton, University of Derby, Swansea Metropolitan University and Cranfield University
Institute of Technology (IOT) funding April 2019 – £810k
Lead academic for Wilmat Ltd. – £137k (KTP 011651)
Lead academic for EPM KTP – £157k 2015-2017 (KTP 009647)
Lead academic for Eclipse KTP – £159k 2017-2010
Filtermist International KTP – £99,000, from 2006-2008 (KTP 001399)
Hymix KTP jointly with Professor Richard Hall – £65,000, from 2006 to 2008 (KTP 001084)
A&T Enclosures Jointly with Clive Percival – £99,000, from 2006-2008 (KTP 001355)
MAS Projects by the WMTN – more than £36,000, from 2003-2006
Contribution through the WMTN Achievements – £400,000, from 2003-2006

Research, scholarship activities and achievements

Current research work involves virtual reality and finite element analysis. The main aim of the research is to investigate and develop tools to facilitate the integration of virtual reality and finite element analysis, and hence providing real-time design analysis capabilities in a virtual environment. Current Ph.D. supervisions include:

• Simulation-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Sustainable Manufacturing Design and Management.

• Using Intelligent Augmented Reality (AR) for multi-user collaborative Design and Manufacturing

• Reducing aircraft noise through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Neural Networks

• A new approach to characterize material properties from measurement data using combined inversed analysis and optimisation.

Other Areas of Research Involves:

• Applying Web-based Technology to Support Design and Manufacture

• Touch and Force Feedback for Virtual Reality

• Virtual Reality Environment for interactive Product Design.

My Research Track Record and secured funding Includes:

• Over 100 publications, including books, journal papers, conference papers and industrial reports.

• Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Engineering Simulation (www.intJES.co.uk).

• Organiser of the 2007 International Conference on Modelling, Simulation & Visualisation Methods (MSC’07) at the WORLDCOMP’07, Las Vegas.

• Number of PhD and MPhil Completion as Director of Study.

• Number of MPhil/PhD Examiner (10+) with a number of Universities including University of Wolverhampton, University of Derby, Swansea Metropolitan University and Cranfield University.

• Institute of Technology (IOT) funding April 2019 £810k.

• Lead academic for Wilmat Ltd. £137k (KTP 011651).

• Lead academic for EPM KTP £157k 2015-2017 (KTP 009647).

• Lead academic for Eclipse KTP £159k 2017-2010.

• Filtermist International KTP, £99,000, From 2006-2008.(KTP 001399).

• Hymix KTP Jointly with Prof. Richard Hall, £65,000, From 2006 to 2008. (KTP 001084)

• A&T Enclosures Jointly with Clive Percival, £99,000, From 2006-2008. (KTP 001355.

• MAS Projects by the WMTN in excess of £36,000, From 2003-2006.

• Contribution through the WMTN Achievements, £400,000, From 2003-2006.

Taught modules

In his previous role as a senior lecturer, he was the award leader for the BSc (Hons) Sports Technology; the role required many skills, including students’ liaison and management as well as reports’ writing and data management. The role as a senior lecturer involved Lecturing, Research, Consultancy, as well many other self-management and promotion duties, especially as an Award leader. His role as module leader in various engineering subjects required lectures’ delivery in various engineering subjects, including Virtual reality in Design and Manufacture, Automated Manufacture and simulation; Integrated Manufacturing Systems; Computers in Manufacturing; and Introduction to Product Manufacture at both UG and PG levels. Other teaching experience included: • Process Flow and Shop floor Layout Optimisation • Production Planning and Scheduling • Production / Manufacturing Engineering • New Product Development • Stress Analysis and Design Optimisation • Engineering Design and Simulation.