The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (
NMITE) celebrated the achievements of its second cohort of 20 students on May 9th, at Hereford Cathedral. The students had graduated with either a BEng (Hons) or MEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering degree.
NMITE’s innovative, hands-on learning model has produced the new group of work-ready engineers who chose this new path in engineering education and are set to become the next generation of changemakers.
NMITE’s president and chief executive James Newby said: “This, our second graduation ceremony is as important as our inaugural ceremony last year, not least because we see more clearly what NMITE is here to do and what our students are capable of becoming.”
He referred to NMITE being created to “meet the moment”, the clearest recent example of which is its new degree in Autonomous Robotics, which may well be one of the fastest-developed degree programmes ever seen in the UK.
Mr Newby added: “By meeting the moment, I mean recognising what the world needs now – and choosing to act on it. For NMITE, that has meant building something different and quickly responding to new technologies and national priorities.”
Addressing the graduating students, Mr Newby said: “You have proved you can solve messy problems with no clear answers. You leave us not just with knowledge, but with judgement, confidence and the ability to contribute from day one. It has been a privilege to watch you become the people you are today.”
Recording another high level of employment and an outstanding 100% for those students originally from Hereford and close by, Airbus and Hitachi Energy are two companies which join the list of prestigious companies who are already employing NMITE graduates such as local Hereford firm Alto Dynamics, BAE Systems, Balfour Beatty, Mondelez and Kier.
Addressing the students, Jesse Norman, chair of NMITE said: “You have shown dedication, resilience and imagination in abundance. You have learned that the task is not merely to understand the world, but to act within it: to change lives for the better, to create enduring value, and to take full responsibility for what you make. In doing so, you have taken NMITE another important step forward. For that, we thank you.”
Also, as part of the graduation ceremony, Professor Richard Lillington, head of learning and teaching, presented the academic prize for highest overall academic achievement for the Bachelor of Engineering in Integrated Engineering to Thomas Reese.
Mr Reese completed a highly regarded placement year with BMW, gaining valuable industry experience, and is now working as a freelance consultant and project manager.
Also presented by Professor Richard Lillington, the recipient of the academic prize for highest overall academic achievement for the Master of Engineering in Integrated Engineering was Lewis Over.
As part of his studies Mr Over developed a lightweight robotic system to support medical logistics in disaster relief environments.
Recipient of the President's Award was Elyse Marriage. Her Master’s project, addressed the high cost and limited accessibility of current adaptive equipment for individuals with upper body impairments participating in archery.
NMITE says that since it first opened its doors to students in 2021, it has demonstrated how a new model can offer something new to the university system and help young people, to become not just critical thinkers, but thinking doers.
Since last year, applications to study at NMITE have increased by 38% and of the offers already made to students, NMITE has seen a 54% increase in firm acceptances.
The Institute says this is evidence of NMITE shifting to becoming the first choice for applicants rather than just a choice.