Nov 6, 2019
- Severin Skillman handpicked for his work using engineering to provide technology to support those affected by dementia
- Severin chosen as one of just five Engineers On A Mission for Tomorrow's Engineers Week (4-8 November)
- Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (#TEWeek19) aims to inspire a new generation into engineering
Severin Skillman from the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing at the University of Surrey has been chosen to feature in a national campaign showcasing how engineers are on a mission to make the world a better place.
The software engineer working at the UK Dementia Research Institute with the University of Surrey is one of just five engineers from across the UK handpicked to front #EngineerOnAMission for Tomorrow's Engineers Week 2019.
Severin, 26, was selected for his work using technology to support people affected by dementia. As part of his role, Severin is developing software applications and systems that track patients behaviour and health at home and predict when problems might arise. His work in this area began on the award winning TIHM (Technology Integrated Health Management) for dementia NHS Test Bed. TIHM has pioneered the use of Internet of Things technologies and Artificial Intelligence to continuously and remotely monitor the health of people with dementia living at home.
As an Engineer on a Mission, Severin became the star of a film that highlights the impact engineers have on the nation’s health and wellbeing. The film will be shown to 50,000 students at the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly today (6 November).
Explaining why he chose a career in engineering, Severin said:
"I always wanted to go into engineering because I was fascinated by the internet and how it could change people’s lives.
"The work that we’re doing now could transform the care given to people affected by dementia and provide peace of mind for their families. In the future 'treatment' could include the in-home remote care that we’re developing right now.
"Engineering feels very tangible to me. The new things I’m working on today may be common tomorrow."
Dr Hilary Leevers, CEO at EngineeringUK, the organisers of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, commented:
"We want every young person to see that engineering offers a varied, stimulating and rewarding career.
"The UK needs tens of thousands more engineers and Tomorrow’s Engineers Week provides an opportunity for the engineering community to work together to inspire the next generation of engineers to meet this demand.
"We're delighted to have the opportunity to share Severin's mission, of using technology to help people affected by dementia, with thousands of potential future engineers."
Further highlights of the Week include the first This is Engineering Day on Wednesday 6 November, challenging the public stereotype of the engineer and the second Tomorrow's Engineers Week Big Assembly, which will see over 50,000 pupils taking part in the same assembly, at the same time.
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