Media Release - www.ipenz.org.nz/media
Tuesday, 28 June 2005
Engineer wins prestigious award to study earthquakes overseas
Earthquakes and shaky homes is a reality for kiwis, but for Merrick Taylor, an Institution of Professional Engineers
(IPENZ) Graduate Member, winning the 2005 Hume Fellowship worth $30,000 means he can study the subject overseas
in-depth, and bring home much needed specialist knowledge.
Winning the Hume award - one of the premier awards available to the engineering profession in New Zealand - will enable
Merrick to go to the Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine in London and study for a Masters of Science
degree in soil mechanics and engineering seismology.
Merrick believes his current geotechnical experience gained whilst working at Beca as a specialist in soil mechanics and
foundation engineering will be greatly enhanced by gaining a thorough grounding in the theory of soil mechanics, and
soil behaviour during a seismic event. He aims to develop an in-depth knowledge of this complex field to the benefit of
all New Zealanders.
“The big question for me is in the structure-soil interaction in any problem, these tend to be the most fascinating, and
the most difficult,” he said Merrick.
“Engineering seismology is of particular relevance to New Zealand’s precarious position – located on the boundary of two
colliding tectonic plates. Evaluating Seismic Risk and providing design solutions to mitigate that risk is a New Zealand
speciality in civil engineering. It is a skill set that is of great long-term benefit for not only New Zealand, but also
the developing world in Asia, where New Zealand companies are continuing to win work – both commercial and aid
development projects,” he said.
“Geotechnical engineering is a relatively small profession in New Zealand, but is crucial that we have specialists here
in this field.
“In the past this Masters course was regularly attended by New Zealanders, and many of the graduates now hold senior
positions in the industry here. However, recently there has been a reduction of engineers sponsored to study there, so
this Hume Award is a wonderful opportunity,” said Merrick.
Merrick begins his 12-month study in October this year.
Notes for journalists
Hume Fellowship
The Hume Fellowship was established in 1988 by Henrietta Hume and her late husband Harry Lancelot Hume, a fellow of
IPENZ who led a distinguished career in the Ministry of Works until his retirement in 1966. As former Harkness Fellows,
both Harry and Henrietta studied in USA, their hope for the Hume Fellowship was for international understanding to be
forwarded through the provision of international opportunities for education and travel to young men and women of
character and ability.
About IPENZ
The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) is the professional body which represents professional
engineers from all disciplines in New Zealand. The Institution sets internationally bench-marked qualifying standards
for degree qualifications in engineering, and serves engineers by securing formal recognition for their professional
standing. IPENZ provides services for about 9000 members.
ENDS