Student Profiles
Donal Ryan, MSc Packaging Technology Management graduate
I studied the MSc in Packaging Technology Management at the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel, and graduated in the summer of 2008. Previously I had completed the Diploma in Packaging Technology (via the Institute of Packaging) and I saw the MSc as a natural progression in my studies, particularly as I was employed in the soft drinks industry.
As I am living in Cork, Ireland, the only realistic option was to participate via distance learning, even though I did spend a few days in Brunel completing Module zero. This gave me a great feel for the University, its facilities and its ethos. I was quite impressed with the facilities, the lab equipment (we did some extrusion trials in the polymer lab) and the modern layout of the campus. I also got to personally meet some of the lecturers which is always a good thing when operating from a distance.
I found the course itself quite challenging and stretching, but quite achievable. Without exception I found the lecturers to be exceptionally responsive, knowledgeable and understanding. They totally understood the vagaries of distance learning; there were occasions when assignment extensions were required for various reasons (which could include lack of local access to relevant assignment research material, family issues or employment issues) and my lecturers were very sympathetic to these unexpected events.
My dissertation was on "The Effect of Weight Reduction on the Properties of Stretch Blow Moulded PET Bottles". The dissertation was directly linked to my workplace as I was the plant Moulding Manager. There is always a desire to lightweight PET bottles, but there is also the requirement to maintain package performance. This conflict can sometimes only be resolved (particularly when approaching the recognised lower end of the technology window) by very precise validation such as carried out in my dissertation. As previously pointed out, the lecturers were top class, but I have to note that Dr. Lynn Gabrielson was exceptional in her technical knowledge and support through the duration of my dissertation.
I was in full-time employment for the duration of the course.
Ironically, as I approached the end of the course, the imminent closure of the Cork plant where I worked was announced. At least I realised that my MSc qualification would increase my "marketability" in the jobs market. A few months before the Cork plant was due to close I was approached by HR in our Dublin plant. They were aware of my experience as Moulding Manager, but were more aware of my recent MSc in Packaging Technology Management qualification. The incumbent Packaging Development Manager was due to be seconded to lead a SAP Introduction project, which would last for approx. 14 months and I was offered / requested to backfill the position for the duration. I gladly accepted as I saw this as a terrific opportunity to put my recently acquired qualification to good use, as it was an opportunity to expand my experience base and it was an opportunity to experience a totally different work environment. I was the right man, in the right place, at the right time, with the right qualifications!
As I approach my last few months in the position I can conclude that the role has proved to be tremendously challenging, exciting, demanding and ultimately rewarding. Without the timely acquisition of the MSc in Packaging Technology it is certain that I would not have been offered this position.
I can also verify that, due to a combination of my Brunel qualification and associated relevant experience, I am now in a much stronger position to face the daunting prospect of finding appropriate employment in the current challenging jobs market.
Donal Ryan MSc (A Happy Packaging Technologist)
George Mankel
George is the Technical Manager for Bemis Packaging which manufactures and
prints polymer films for a number of industries including the medical, food and
infant care markets.
Coming from an engineering and quality background I soon realised that I needed to know mcuh more about packaging technology to be able to do a good job for Bemis. The MSc in Packaging Technology has helped me immensely in providing packaging solutions for new and existing customers. Apart from the obvious benefits from the materials science disciplines, the 'ancillary' subjects such as project management, marketing, manufacturing and packaging design help put everything together. Following the taught modules, the dissertation is a substantial but rewarding challenge. I did my dissertation on 'fresh produce' packaging, which is a relatively new and growing market. The bottom line is that without doing the MSc, I would never have achieved the depth of quality of research that I did. The Universities have a wealth of data available to students which I found of great use for both my studies and work.
Lesley Moody
Lesley is the Senior Packaging Development Technologist for Dairy Crest.
Having a Food Technology background and 17 years industrial experience, I was working in a central role as Quality Standards Manager for Unigate Dairies Limited. I had only a basic understanding of packaging materials and their application.
When given responsibility for packaging, I began to look around for suitable courses that would give me the technical knowledge I needed to be able to do my job well.
The MSc Packaging Technology course has given me technical and managerial skills that benefit my employers by enabling me to negotiate improved packaging specification and working with suppliers to improve the quality of the products supplied to Dairy Crest.
Since completing the course I am now Senior Packaging Development Technologist for Dairy Crest, responsible for all packaging used for liquid products.
Having now gained my MSc with distinction, I can recommend the course to all those with a Packaging related role. It has given me detailed knowledge of the processes involved in the manufacture of the most commonly used packaging materials and the experimental techniques used in their analysis. I've also gained many management related skils.
Recent successes that I have been involved with are the launch of Del Mont fresh juice in a PET bottle designed to mimic frosted glass and the re-laucnch of Marks and Spencer flavoured milk in PET.
Cliff Jones
Cliff is the Technical Operatoins Manager for a large Pepsi plant in Saudi Arabia.
Following 15 years working in Line Management for a major brewer in South Africa, I returned to the UK in 1999 to continue my management career.
One of my early priorities was to seek a suitable higher degree that would support my career plans. Whilst I had a great deal of packaging knowledge in bottling and canning of beverages, I had little experience of the rest of the packaging industry.
The MSc in Packaging Technology provided an in depth understanding of the fields that I had not been exposed to, particularly plastics technology, as well as papers, metals and glass.
My MSc studies were of great practical benefit. since commencing the course I have worked for Heineken designing high technology packaging facilities worldwide, and more recently for Scottish Courage. Scottish Courage was the development customer for the world's first X-ray can seam analyser and my work on the dissertation was instrumental in supporting the company to install and commercialise the technology.
As I have recently been appointed as Technical Operations Manager for a large Pepsi facility in Saudi Arabia, I am confident that the knowledge gained on the MSc course will enhance my decision making, and was certainly instrumental in my acieving this position.
Kate Sullivan
Kate works as a scientist at the UK Corporate Technologies Centre for Crown Cork and Seal, specialising in Taint and Odour analysis and ensuring Food Contact regulatory compliance for Crown business - including support to CarnaudMetalbox Foodcan, Bevcan, and Closures.
Having worked for a leading packaging manufacturer for a number of years, I decided to learn more about the subject and obtained the Institute of Packaging Diploma. The MSc was the next natural step in gaining more expertise in packaging technology.
During the course we have studied a range of technical and managerial subjects through Distance Learning. All of the modules have been relevant to the Converting industry and I have been able to apply them to my day to day work activities. The Residential sessions have been particularly helpful in establishing links with academic staff and being able to use university facilities. It has been just as important meeting fellow course students in both professional and social environments during the time spent away. I thoroughly recommend this course -it is intensive, it is a challenge, but it is very rewarding and can also be good fun!
Sanjay Patel
Sanjay works as Packaging Experimentalist for Zeneca Agrochemicals.
Having completed an HND at Swindon college in Packaging Design, and classes
at San Jose State University in packaging materials, handling, distribution and
cushioning, I felt my education needed rounding off. The MSc in Packaging
Technology provided the perfect opportunity to do just this, by developing a
course structure that once successfully completed, is highly respected within
the industry. With a very demanding work life I had fears that I would not have
the time to cope with an MSc.However, by being partly distance learning it is easier than I initially
imagined develop the correct balance. A major benefit that I did not envisage at
the outset, has been meeting both students and lecturers that are very competent
within their disciplines. Having them as contacts has made problem solving
within my working life much quicker and less painful.
