Memorandum 2
Submission from UKCRC (UK Computing Research
Committee)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. The UK Computing Research Committee (UKCRC)
is an Expert Panel of the British Computer Society, the Institution
of Engineering and Technology and the Council of Professors and
Heads of Computing. We have limited our evidence to the technical
issues that fall within our direct expertise, and to their direct
consequences.
2. Computer systems are now embedded in
almost every engineered product, eg controlling cars, aircraft
and medical devices. The embedded systems market is far larger
than that for PCs, and the UK is one of the world leaders in this
sector.
3. Engineering in the UK, particularly in
the embedded systems sector, is a success story, with several
world class firms and a strong research base. Work on embedded
systems contributes to the wealth of the UK, to addressing environmental
concerns, and to the safety of the public.
4. The biggest threat to the UK's continued
success is the shortage of skilled staff, exacerbated by the low
application rate to computing courses in the UK. Our recommendations
are mainly related to the issue of recruitment to computing courses:
- All stakeholders, eg industry, Universities
and government, need to work together to improve the marketing
of computing, especially embedded systems, courses at University
to school pupils;
- Government needs to review the teaching
of computing in schools and, if practical, to introduce the teaching
of computing as a technical discipline to reverse the decline
in interest in computing amongst secondary school pupils;
- Government also needs to review the impact
of FEC on industrially sponsored research in Universities, to
reverse the trend for UK companies to choose to work with overseas
Universities as this is a more cost-effective.
5. Computing is also crucial in many other
areas, eg finance, communications, and Critical National Infrastructure.
The effective engineering of such systems is also central to the
UK's prosperity and security.
INTRODUCTION
6. The UK Computing Research Committee (UKCRC),
an Expert Panel of the British Computer Society, the Institution
of Engineering and Technology and the Council of Professors and
Heads of Computing, was formed in November 2000 as a policy committee
for computing research in the UK. Its members are leading computing
researchers from UK academia and industry.
7. The most familiar computers are desktop
PCs, however the embedded systems market is much bigger, and more
critical to engineered products. Market estimates suggest that
PC sales in 2007 were roughly 270M units; sales of mobile "phones
alone were over 800M units. Embedded processors are found in cars,
aircraft, televisions, MP3 players, pacemakers, tractors, and
so on. Thus the worldwide embedded systems market is probably
at least an order of magnitude larger (in volume and value) than
the PC market.
8. In almost all engineering domains, except
perhaps civil engineering, products are now critically dependent
on computers and software[22].
For example, in modern military aircraft, over 80% of the functions
are computer controlled; other industries are similarly dependent.
In many cases, eg high specification cars, embedded systems and
software provide the "product differentiator" and have
a major impact on saleability and commercial success of the product.
9. In all engineering domains computers
and software are used as design tools-both in describing and analysing
systems and products. In some areas, eg aircraft design, computer-based
models are critical to commercial success of the product. Contracts
are entered into based on predictions of performance, eg cost
per passenger mile, long before the aircraft can be built and
tested. If these predictions are inaccurate, then there could
be severe financial penalties for underperformance, and long-term
damage to reputation.
10. The UK has unique strengths in embedded
systems, both in manufacturing and in research and development.
Major engineering companies, such as Rolls-Royce, are dependent
on embedded computers and software in their products, and on computer-based
design tools. Electronics companies such as ARM[23]
provide the intellectual property which underlies processor designs
in mobile `phones and many other markets, eg automotive, printers,
and digital cameras. The UK has originated world-leading research
on software design for embedded systems, and this is exploited
in specialist companies, eg Praxis High Integrity Systems[24]
and Rapita Systems[25].
11. An important sub-class of embedded systems
are safety-critical systems, ie those whose failure or malfunction
could lead to injury or loss of life. The UK has a strong industrial
base and research community in safety critical systems, with world
class companies in avionics and automotive systems.
12. By their very nature embedded processors
are hidden-they can be thought of as the "invisible IT industry".
However they are very important to the UK economy, and to the
UK engineering sector.
RESPONSE TO
ISSUES IN
THE TSOR
13. We present our evidence from the point
of view of the role and value of computing, particularly the development
of embedded computer systems (ECS) and engineering design tools
(EDT).
The role of engineering and engineers in UK society
14. ECS have a significant role in reducing
the environmental impact of many systems and products. For example,
computer control over car and aircraft engines reduces the level
of carbon emissions and improves the efficiency of the engines.
Nowadays, reductions in environmental impact of major engineered
systems are as likely to arise from the capabilities of ECS as
other aspects of engineering design.
15. Many ECS have a safety role, either
actively contributing to safety or providing protection. Active
safety systems in cars include anti-lock braking and traction
control. ECS are also used in medical devices, eg pacemakers and
defibrillators. In high specification cars many of the innovations
are based on ECS; these systems later flow down into mass market
vehicles.
16. ECS are also important in safeguarding
Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). The effectiveness of ECS
safeguards to CNI is dependent on the effectiveness of the (engineering
of) their security mechanisms.
17. Work on EDT contributes to the strength
of engineering industry and hence to the UK economy. Perhaps the
best-known programmes are the Rolls-Royce UTCs[26];
some of these, eg at Southampton and Oxford, work on design tools
which contribute to the definition and analysis of aircraft engines
and thus support Rolls-Royce's core business.
18. Engineers, especially those working
on ECS, contribute to the wealth of the UK, to addressing environmental
concerns, and to the safety of the public.
The role of engineering and engineers in UK's
innovation drive
19. The UK has been highly innovative in
computing and software technology and its contributions to engineering,
including embedded systems, have been significant, although perhaps
not very well known. We give examples from two different industries.
20. The first ARM processor was designed
in 1983-84 by a company called Acorn; it is now owned by ARM Ltd.
ARM is unusual in that it is an intellectual property (IP) company
and does not manufacture its own designs. It has been supplying
IP to the mobile "phone market for just over 10 years, and
has around 70% of the high-end embedded processor[27]
market. Now more than 10 billion ARM processors have been produced-more
than one for every person on the planet. ARM remains highly innovative
and commercially successful.
21. The UK is also very successful in specialist
sensors which, necessarily, incorporate ECS. For example, Datum[28]
produce torque measurement equipment for the automotive and other
industries. Silicon Sensing[29]
produce specialist movement sensors, eg accelerometers for cars,
supplying some of the major European car manufacturers.
22. The UK is highly innovative, and the
innovation translates into commercial success in a range of industries,
including communications, electronic games, personal devices,
eg MP3 players, and automotive electronics.
The state of the engineering skills base in the
UK, including the supply of engineers and issues of diversity
(for example, gender and age profile)
23. UKCRC does not have precise data on
the skills base in the UK, in the embedded systems arena or more
widely in IT. However it is possible to draw inferences from recruitment
activity at Universities, and from interaction with industry.
24. There is a general under-supply of well-qualified
individuals in computing and IT. The more highly regarded Universities
are unable to meet industrial demand for placement students or
for graduates. Relatively few Universities focus on the skills
needed to work in embedded systems; if anything, these Universities
are even more highly over-subscribed[30].
25. This demand must be contrasted with
the significant drop in applications to computing. Applications
across the UK are down by circa 50% in the last five years, and
the trend is still downward. Analysis by the British Computer
Society and others show that there are a number of factors, including
pupils' misperception of the opportunities in IT, and the nature
and quality of teaching in schools.
26. In many schools teaching of computing
is limited to the use of standard office tools, such as word processors
and databases. Generally, pupils find this to be undemanding (even
boring) and it does not attract the more able students into computing.
There are interesting tools and systems which can be used in support
of teaching computing, especially embedded systems, eg Lego MindStorms®,[31]
which can communicate the interest and excitement of developing
embedded systems.
27. In many sectors there is an ageing workforce,
and it is quite common to retain recent retirees on a contract
basis to cover for lost knowledge and skills. In some sectors,
eg the nuclear industry, this is a severe problem as there has
been limited engineering activity for the last decade.
28. Generally there is a poor gender balance
in computing, with less than 15% of students being female. This
imbalance is also seen in industry. There are many initiatives
aimed at improving gender balance; in general computing is well-represented
in such activities, but the situation is, if anything, slowly
worsening, rather than improving[32].
29. There is a severe mismatch between supply
and demand of engineers specialising in embedded systems. This
may be exacerbated by the concern over outsourcing; the short
supply certainly makes outsourcing and "off-shoring"
more attractive as it gives companies access to well-educated
staff, particularly in Asia, at comparatively low cost. However,
increased levels of "off-shoring" have the potential
to damage the UK's competitiveness.
The importance of engineering to R&D and the
contribution of R&D to engineering.
30. Computing contributes to R&D as
EDT is now a critical capability for most engineering design.
For example, finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics
are used in many complex design problems, eg for aircraft and
cars.
31. There is another sense in which computing,
especially embedded systems, contributes to R&D in that instrumentation
and measurement systems are crucial to the design of products.
Companies such as Datum are leaders in measurement techniques
applied in engineering R&D.
32. R&D is also crucial to engineering.
For example, the success of the ARM processor is based on a long
and continuing R&D activity both in-house and with Universities.
Similarly, many of the SMEs, eg Praxis and Rapita, either work
with Universities on research programmes, or are spin-offs from
University research.
33. The links between R&D and engineering,
particularly between Universities and companies (including spin-offs)
is crucial to wealth creation in the UK.
The roles of industry, universities, professional
bodies, Government, unions and others in promoting engineering
skills and the formation and development of careers in engineering.
34. We address each of these constituencies
in turn.
35. Industry. Industry already does
much to assist in the formation and development of careers in
Engineering both with their own workforces and, for example, working
with Universities in support of teaching. Perhaps the most important
additional activity which could be undertaken is to assist in
"marketing" of careers in engineering to school pupils
both in primary and secondary education to increase the flow of
students to Universities.
36. Universities. Many Universities
offer effective and appropriate education at undergraduate and
postgraduate level, providing the skills needed for entry into
the profession. The Universities' biggest problems are in recruitment
of suitable students, and many are actively engaged in outreach
activities to seek to increase student enrolment in computing.
However this is a National (and international) problem, and not
one that individual Universities can solve by themselves.
37. Professional Bodies. Professional
bodies such as the British Computer Society and the Institution
of Engineering and Technology accredit degrees and offer flexible
routes to professional recognition. Their role in formation and
development of engineers has, historically, been effective. However,
as technology is now moving so fast, it seems appropriate that
they should move to a scheme of periodic re-evaluation of professional
standing (eg Chartered Engineer status) to ensure that professional
qualifications remain of an appropriately high standard. The professional
bodies also assist in marketing of engineering to schools and
school pupils; this is vital given the very difficult situation
in the UK (and elsewhere in Europe and in North America) with
recruitment to engineering courses at Universities.
38. Government. Government needs
to take urgent and fundamental action to counteract the decline
in the proportion of pupils studying mathematics and science in
schools, and to reverse the decline in the intellectual content
of such courses. A more radical option should be considered; that
of providing a technical computing GCSE and A level to supplement
the teaching of "uses of computers" in schools. We recognise
that there would be difficulty in putting on such courses without
substantial recruitment into schools from the IT profession; however
we find it hard to see how the decline in applications to study
computing at University can be halted unless pupils are exposed
to the excitement and challenge of computing-as it is taught in
University and used professionally-to counteract the tedious and
repetitious experience of computers which is now commonplace in
schools.
39. A subsidiary area for Government attention
is in the area of costing of research in Universities. Whilst
it is essential that Universities cover their costs, the introduction
of full economic costing (FEC) has made research in Universities
very expensive, with a negative impact on collaborative research.
For example, Rolls-Royce has opened seven UTCs in the past three
years and all bar two have been overseas where research costs
are lower and government support for industrial investment in
University research is more favourable. Action is needed to make
it more cost-effective for industry to work with UK Universities[33]
if the long-standing and effective collaboration is not to be
eroded to the detriment of skills in the UK.
40. Unions. No evidence offered.
41. Others. The sector skills council
for computing, e-Skills, has put a lot of emphasis on computing
courses for IT applications, and has provided funding to set up
specially tailored University degrees. Whilst we recognise the
need for graduates with these skills, it is desirable that e-Skills
also recognises and supports the skills needed for development
and assessment of embedded systems, given their importance to
the UK and the UK's relatively strong position in this field.
42. The most urgent need is for action which
will increase the flow of sufficiently capable students into computing
courses, to reduce the imbalance between the needs of industry
and the output of University courses. This requires work on promoting
courses by all stakeholders. The introduction of a more technical
computing curriculum in schools is a more radical proposal; however
it might be the only way of stopping the continuing decline of
applications to computing in Universities.
Case Studies
43. UKCRC welcomes the committee's choice
of Nuclear Engineering as one of the first two case studies, because
of the importance of the (development of the) next generation
of civil nuclear power plant to the security of UK energy supply.
We also note the critical role of ECS and software in the control
and protection of nuclear power plant. The skills base in the
nuclear industry is severely eroded due to the long period of
time since the last generation of civil nuclear power plant were
constructed; almost all of those who were involved in, say, the
Sizewell B programme, at a senior level, have now retired and
there is no obvious "new generation" to replace them.
44. There may also be value in having a
case study in computing, or IT, and its impact on engineering.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is already running a study entitled
"the changing face of information technology, and the implications
for the future competitiveness of UK Industry and the UK economy".
It may be cost-effective for the IUS Select Committee to draw
on this study to provide a case study of the role of IT in engineering.
Observations
45. As befits an Inquiry on engineering,
the evidence presented has focused on embedded computers which
are key elements of almost all modern engineered systems. However,
computers are at the core of much of UK business and many government
services. For example it is crucial to the functioning of the
financial sector, the telecommunications industry and (electronic)
games, in which the UK has a major strength, and to the operation
of Government Departments. The engineering discipline-software
engineering-which is aimed at the effective delivery and sustainment
of such systems is a key contributor to the UK's continuing success.
46. UKCRC would be pleased to provide additional
evidence, orally or in writing, on any of the points mentioned
above.
February 2008
22 "The Universe of Engineering. A UK Perspective",
Sir Robert Malpas, The Royal Academy of Engineering, June
2000, shows all engineering sectors except agriculture dependent
on IT; now agricultural machinery is computerised. Back
23
http://www.arm.com/ Back
24
See: http://www.praxis-his.com/ Back
25
See: http://www.rapitasystems.com/ Back
26
http://www.rolls-royce.com/education/utc/default.jsp Back
27
Processors supporting 32 bit arithmetic. Back
28
http://www.datum-electronics.co.uk/ Back
29
http://www.siliconsensing.com/ Back
30
The author's own University, which specialises in embedded systems,
has over 90% positive destinations in 2007. Back
31
10 Lego kits which include sensors, motors, etc. and processors
which can be programmed to control robots, etc built with the
kits. Back
32
Based on informal observations of applications to University computing
courses. Back
33
Also, Universities need to understand that FEC assesses costs,
and does not determine price. Back
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