Last week, Dr Andrew Potts was appointed as a Professor of Practice in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Monash University.
The Professor of Practice appointment is an honorary appointment established as means of giving recognition to the contributions made by those in the engineering profession who are not themselves employees of the University, but who nonetheless maintain a valuable association with the University Faculty of Engineering.
Professor Frieder Seible (Pictured below with Prof. Potts), Dean of the Engineering Faculty and IT Faculty, and recently appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President of Enterprise, at Monash University has stated he is "very pleased with the appointment and [is] honoured to be working with someone with Andrew's background and experience, who may bring a different view and a new focus to academia."
As a leading Australian and international university, Monash has earned its place among Australia's prestigious Group of Eight universities through a culture of innovative research and its dedication to the highest educational standards.
The 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report prepared by the Australian Research Council assessed the Faculty of Engineering Research and Development at Monash University as being "well above world standard". This is one of the best results for engineering in Australia and these excellent results have remained steady since 2012.
Professor Potts graduated in Civil Engineering from Monash University, whereupon after a year in industry, returned to work as a Research Assistant for the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, whilst undertaking a Masters in Engineering Science across both the ocean and structural engineering fields. He subsequently took up a Department of Energy Research Fellowship at the University of Reading, undertaking research into permanent mooring systems for floating offshore facilities.
Upon returning to Australia, Professor Potts was a regular guest lecturer at Monash University Offshore Engineering Programme, and has maintained long term association with the University. For the past two years he has served as a Board Member of the Monash Engineering & IT Foundation.
Professor Potts is the current CEO of the AMOG Group, which he co-founded 25 years ago with his former colleagues from Monash University, Associate Professor Jon Hinwood, Emeritus Professor Paul Grundy and Professor Rob Melchers.
The close association with Monash University was instrumental to the early growth and success of AMOG, with Monash University being a natural and major source for recruiting top quality engineering graduates and post-graduates. AMOG maintains its close ties with Monash University today and regularly uses the world class research facilities within the Faculty of Engineering.
Professor Potts is delighted with the professorial appointment to his alma mater as a recognition of long standing close association with Monash University, and of course, is very excited about the future collaborations he sees on the horizon.