Distinguished Scholars Join Forces on NMITE’s New Academic Advisory Board
NMITE, the pioneering specialist engineering and technical university based in Hereford, has announced the creation of its new Academic Advisory Board, an assembly of internationally recognised scholars whose expertise spans physics, engineering, economics, and global education policy.
This strategic move reinforces NMITE’s mission to redefine higher education for the 21st century, with an emphasis on real-world challenges, innovation, and inclusivity.
The newly formed board unites three distinguished academics: Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Professor Robert Klitgaard, and Professor Paul Newman. Together, they will offer strategic guidance and intellectual leadership to support NMITE’s bold approach to engineering education.
A vision for transformative learning
NMITE President and CEO James Newby welcomed the appointments with enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Keith, Bob and Paul to NMITE’s new Academic Advisory Board. This will play a vital role in shaping our distinctive model of hands-on, challenge-led learning, and our commitment to bridging the gap between academia, industry and society.”
Since its inception, NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) has positioned itself as a disruptor in the higher education landscape. Its mission is clear, to cultivate the next generation of practical engineers and technology leaders through an immersive, project-driven learning environment. Unlike traditional universities, NMITE’s curriculum integrates the arts, interpersonal skills, and teamwork alongside rigorous technical education.
The new Academic Advisory Board will provide an additional layer of insight, ensuring NMITE’s model continues to evolve in step with global industry and technological progress.
Academic excellence with a purpose
Sir Keith Burnett, Chair of the Nuffield Foundation, President of the Institute of Physics, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, brings an exceptional blend of scientific and educational leadership to the board. As an internationally renowned physicist and advocate for vocational education, Sir Keith’s expertise will strengthen NMITE’s focus on practical, impact-driven engineering.
“It gives me great pleasure to join the advisory board of NMITE,” said Sir Keith. “This is an ambitious educational institution whose progress I have followed from its founding vision to its growing reputation as a focus for innovation in engineering education. There is a proud tradition of challenge-based learning and experimentation in science and engineering, and I’m delighted to support the work of a new iteration of that spirit in Hereford with its pioneering academics and students.”
Sir Keith’s involvement is a significant endorsement, aligning NMITE with the UK’s broader mission to champion STEM education and promote diversity in engineering.
Innovation through global insight
Professor Robert Klitgaard, an economist and policy expert with an impressive academic track record, adds a unique international perspective. As University Professor and former President of Claremont Graduate University in California, Klitgaard’s work at Harvard, Yale, and RAND has influenced economic policy and public governance worldwide.
His enthusiasm for NMITE’s bold educational experiment was clear: “NMITE is a bold innovation that’s turning heads in Britain and beyond. I’m thrilled to play a small part and eager to explore how NMITE plus AI can help transform engineering education.”
His expertise in problem-solving, institutional development, and innovation management will help NMITE refine its global education strategy and strengthen its cross-disciplinary approach.
Driving autonomy and digital transformation
Professor Paul Newman, another luminary on the board, serves as Professor of Information Engineering at the University of Oxford and is the co-founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer of Oxa, a leading developer of software systems for autonomous vehicles. Newman’s work at the intersection of robotics, AI, and mobility positions him perfectly to guide NMITE’s exploration into emerging technologies.
His research on autonomy and perception systems has reshaped the future of transport and machine learning. By involving Newman, NMITE demonstrates a commitment to staying at the cutting edge of digital transformation in engineering education.
Redefining engineering for the 21st century
At its core, NMITE aims to deliver a different kind of engineering education, one that develops not only technical competence but also the leadership, creativity, and adaptability required in an ever-changing world. Its student-centric learning model prioritises collaboration, curiosity, and the ability to solve complex, real-world problems.
The institution actively seeks to recruit students from diverse backgrounds, including those who may not have previously considered engineering as a career. By doing so, NMITE is broadening the pipeline of talent entering STEM industries, addressing a critical skills shortage in the UK and beyond.
Its curriculum is designed to:
- Integrate multiple engineering disciplines for a holistic understanding.
- Incorporate liberal arts and human-centred learning.
- Build interpersonal and communication skills alongside technical training.
- Offer hands-on, challenge-led projects based on industry needs.
This innovative educational model ensures that graduates are not only ‘work-ready’ but also ‘world-ready’, prepared to lead in technology-driven sectors across infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
Academic collaboration and global engagement
The establishment of the Academic Advisory Board signals NMITE’s growing international standing. The institution has already cultivated partnerships with leading universities and industries to promote research collaboration, professional exchange, and innovation-driven education. The board’s members are expected to strengthen these links further.
Their collective experience connects NMITE to a global network of thought leaders in education, policy, and technology, from Oxford and Harvard to industry disruptors like Oxa. Such collaborations will play a pivotal role in ensuring NMITE remains at the forefront of engineering innovation.
Innovation meets inspiration
The creation of the Academic Advisory Board represents more than an administrative milestone. It embodies NMITE’s evolving vision, an education system that mirrors the complexity of the modern world, blending theory with application, creativity with analysis, and learning with doing.
By bringing together some of the brightest academic minds, NMITE is futureproofing its mission to build the engineers of tomorrow, innovators, leaders, and problem solvers equipped to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing planet.
