USQ engineering professor picks up lifetime achievement award

USQ Mechatronic Professor, John Billingsley, has received a lifetime achievement award from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

IET is an international professional engineering society with more than 150,000 members in 37 countries around the world.

Professor Billingsley was recognised for his outstanding contribution in Robotics and Mechatronics, two fields of Engineering that he has been involved in for more than 40 years.

The presentation was held in London earlier this month and, although he could not physically attend, his daughter was there on his behalf.

'I was busy here at the University with the Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice Conference (M2VIP) so unfortunately I couldn't go,' Prof Billingsley said.

'In September I found out that I had won the award, but to finally be awarded it I am absolutely delighted.'

The honour, which is only awarded to 12 individuals each year, is one of the most prestigious that the industry offers.

'These Achievement Awards are given out all around the world and only a certain number are awarded annually,' Prof Billingsley said.

'It recognises my contribution to the IET and Engineering as a whole and is a stamp of approval.

'It's the icing on the cake.'

Listed amongst his greatest achievements is his popularisation of Mechatronics through development of the Micromouse Contest, his work on several television series in England and the numerous books that he has written encouraging the younger generation to get involved in Robotics.

'I want to write a few more books on Mechatronics, keep chasing the M2VIP Conference around the world and it could be nice to get some industry projects working,' Prof Billingsley said.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628, 0403 643 192