University of Hull engineering graduate Konstantin Long wins coveted IMechE award

University of Hull engineering graduate Konstantin Long has won a prestigious award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Konstantin Long, University of Hull Mechanical Engineering graduate

Konstantin – who graduated from Hull in 2020 with a Distinction in his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – won the Viscount Weir Prize for Communications in Engineering.

While studying at Hull, Konstantin was an active member of the Formula Student Team, serving as Lead Powertrain Engineer.

He completed his MSc dissertation on the Drivetrain Optimisation of the Hull Formula Student Car, and subsequently submitted his work to IMechE for the competition.

Konstantin has now scooped the prestigious Viscount Weir Prize, and his trophy is proudly on display in the University’s Department for Engineering.

He said: “Being part of the Formula Student team, I decided to link my final-year project with the powertrain development for our car, and as a member of the IMechE, I applied to participate in the Viscount Weir competition with my project.

“It means so much to have my work recognised by a panel of professionals, with both an academic and industry background, and I hope this award inspires my further professional development.

“Looking back, I am so glad I chose the University of Hull and the Hull Formula Student team – the atmosphere at the university helped me achieve the best result I could, and lined me up for a fantastic job as a Design Engineer after graduation.”

Konstantin is now a Design Engineer at Conroy Group – a Lincolnshire-based company which over 25 years has specialised in the public utility sector and civil engineering industry, before expanding into wider markets including suction excavator hire, Horizontal Directional drilling and bespoke mobile recycling.

The Viscount Weir Competition for Communications in Engineering attracts a first prize of £200, and is awarded for a live presentation to a group of IMechE members on a topic based on automotive engineering.

In addition to the cash prize and a certificate awarded to Konstantin, the Department of Engineering has received stewardship of the George Harrison Trophy – which accompanies the Viscount Weir Prize – which has been engraved with Konstantin’s name and placed on display in the Robert Blackburn Building at the University.

Professor Ben Hughes, Head of Department of Engineering at the University of Hull, said: “Konstantin made a huge impact on both the Hull Formula Student team, and the Department as a whole, during his time at the University.

“To see his hard work and dedication rewarded with this prestigious award is testament to the talent Konstantin displayed while studying at Hull. I have no doubt he will go on to have an incredibly successful career in engineering, and wish him all the best for the future.

“We could not be prouder to display Konstantin’s George Harrison Trophy in our Department at Hull, and hope his success will inspire future generations of students at the University.”

For more information on the Mechanical Engineering courses on offer at the University of Hull, visit https://www.hull.ac.uk/faculties/subjects/mechanical-engineering.