A student from our Department of Mechanical Engineering has been named one of our best final year undergraduate students having received four academic awards during his time at University.
Guillermo Durango, from Palencia, Spain, was awarded the BP Centurion Award of £1000, along with the Frazer Nash Prize, the IMechE Frederic Barnes Waldron Prize and the Royal Aeronautical Society Prize during his time at Bath.
He impressed Chancellor Lord Tugendhat so much he raised his mortar board to the 23-year-old when he collected his degree at a ceremony in Bath Abbey last week.
Chancellor Lord Tugendhat raises his mortar board to talented Guillermo Durango.
The talented student has just completed an MEng (hons) in Aerospace Engineering. During his course he impressed lecturers with both his dedication to his studies and the contribution to student life he made in his spare time.
Guillermo was part of the International Student Helpers team for three years, where he worked to ensure new students received the best possible welcome and introduction to University life at Bath. He was also an Academic Representative also for three years, liaising with staff and students and raising issues at a departmental and University-wide level. He worked as a University Ambassador and attended focus groups and workshop sessions for the improvement of the student experience offered.
In addition to this he has been involved in a number of University sports clubs, including the Gliding club and the Latin & Ballroom Dancing club, where he represented the University in dance competitions.
Guillermo has also represented the University on the Bath & Bristol Young Members Committee of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for over two years, where he helped to organise engaging events for students and the community to promote engineering.
When asked what he most enjoyed about his course at Bath, Guillermo said: “The practical side of it. The Aerospace course at Bath gives you the opportunity to experience ‘authentic’ engineering: it is not just about learning the theory!
“I have been able to take part of an aircraft group design project supervised by industry members, use the Department’s equipment to make a wing model out of composites, carry out wind tunnel testing, and have been able to fly in a test aircraft, to name a few examples.
“Additionally, the Department of Mechanical Engineering gives the option for a year out in industry, which is another great way of learning how engineering is in the professional world.”
Now that he has finished his degree, Guillermo plans to do a one-year MSc at Cranfield University in Aircraft Design. He has been selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Aeronautical Society for a bursary which will help fund his studies. On completion of the MSc Guillermo plans to join the aerospace industry in the UK, and hopes to work in conceptual and holistic design.
Professor Tony Miles, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: “While at Bath, Guillermo has proven time and again that he is both highly committed to his studies and to helping others to have a good experience at Bath.
“He has received a number of impressive accolades, from the Bath Award to a Royal Aeronautical Society Prize and the IMechE Frederic Barnes Waldron Prize, so the BP Centurion award is a fantastic end to what has been an exceptionally strong academic career for Guillermo.”