NI names panel of experts for NIDays 2010

NIDays, hosted by NI in association with The IET and media partners Electronic Product Design, Electronics Weekly, Electronics Manufacture & Test, The Engineer, Eureka, New Electronics and Professional Engineering, is the annual professional development conference and exhibition for engineers, scientists and educators involved in test, control and design. The panel discussion, entitled The Need for Innovation and Exploration, will task these industry experts with debating the topics of engineering innovation and scientific exploration and discovery, and their role in supporting and driving a thriving economy, as well as giving NIDays delegates the opportunity to pose questions directly to the panel.

Brian Cox OBE, the 'Rock Star Physicist', is Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester and one of the leaders on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. He has become a popular TV presenter, author and media advocate for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). Professor Cox will also deliver the keynote address at NIDays 2010, Why We Need Explorers, explaining how curiosity-driven science pays for itself, powering innovation, fostering a profound appreciation of our existence and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Andrew Miller MP represents about 70,000 electors in the constituency of Ellesmere Port and Neston. He is also: Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee; Chair of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee; Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee; and a Member of the Liaison Committee. His particular political interests include: Communications and Information Technology; Regional Economy; Science and Technology; the Environment and Industry.

Chris Kirby founded NDT Solutions Ltd in 1997, a high-technology spin-out company from Keele University. As Managing Director, he grew NDT into a world-leader in portable scanning systems. In 2005 he took a position as a Business Manager at the University of Sheffield, where he was involved in establishing four companies, including the high-technology company Magnomatics. He is currently Managing Director of Magnomatics and is the driving force behind its entry into a number of clean technology and traditional market sectors.

John Pullin is an experienced writer and editor with 25 years at the head of market-leading news-driven publications serving engineering, technology and construction markets, including Professional Engineering, Automotive Engineer and The Engineer. His areas of expertise include manufacturing and design technology, computer-based systems, manufacturing management issues, training and education of engineers, energy issues and industrial economics.

Ajit Gokhale, as General Manager of NI UK, Ireland, France and Portugal, works with regional management teams to drive long-term customer success, revenue growth and profitability through adoption of NI test, measurement and automation platforms. After beginning his NI career as an Applications Engineer in Austin, Texas, in 1990, Gokhale's roles within the company have included Field Engineer, Research & Development, Product Strategy, Director of Product Marketing, and NI UK & Ireland Managing Director.

Follow the link for more information about NIDays 2010.