A Northern Ireland university has received recognition for the teaching of energy and building services engineering.

The University of Ulster's School of the Built Environment has been acknowledged by a leading UK professional body for its excellence of teaching in the sector.

It has won the Happold Brilliant Award 2010/11, a prestigious accolade given out each year by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

The award recognises the broad range of courses the School has to offer including BEng (Hons) and MEng in Energy and Building Services Engineering and MSc in Renewable Energy and Energy Management.

Dr Philip Griffiths, Associate Head of the University's School of the Built Environment, said the recognition demonstrated their commitment to providing the best possible teaching expertise and broadest range of courses.

"We are confident this will enable our students to achieve their maximum potential and, if required, full professional qualifications," he said.

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He added: "All the courses in the School of the Built Environment are fully accredited with their respective professional bodies, aligning their learning outcomes with both national teaching quality and professional standards."

The core teaching for the energy courses is drawn from the Centre for Sustainable Technologies. There is an emphasis on quality of design and a high level of sustainability from the outset.

Meanwhile the Energy and Building Services course and the MSc are research

informed throughout, tackling issues of energy supply, energy efficiency, internal environment conditioning, impact on the environment and use of resources.

According to the statement released by the university research on developing new glazing systems, novel solar energy systems, pump heating, energy storage and power generation is fed into the course as students are exposed to new thinking and techniques.

Dr Griffiths also spoke of how the School of the Built Environment had put sustainability at the heart of its courses.

He said: "The challenges that face the profession are considerable. For example, we need to deliver buildings and an urban environment in a world where competition is increasing for resources."

He explained that: "Intelligent design and use of resources are the drivers for change. Without these, improved conditions and a comfortable living environment provided by energy efficient buildings, will not occur and fuel poverty will rise."

The CIBSE said:"The courses provided by the university will benefit students through the 'real world' application of their studies."

The Happold Brilliant Award will be presented to the University of Ulster at the CIBSE President's Awards Dinner, which will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in London on Friday October 7.

(LB/BMcC)