Professional training prize

The R.J.A. Seebold Industrial Training Prize in Electronic Engineering is awarded to a student from one of our electronic engineering undergraduate courses, for exceptional performance during their placement training period.

About the prize

Each year, we offer a £200 prize at graduation, that is awarded to the electronic engineering undergraduate student who achieves the highest mark in the Professional Training placement module. This is judged by a presentation about their placement that they give upon returning to Surrey in their final year.

For 20 years, Roger Seebold, the prize donor, worked here at the University, managing students on their Professional Training Year. He is truly passionate about this experience and hopes that it will encourage young engineers to pursue a meaningful year in industry where they can learn transferable skills.

I am extremely grateful to receive the reward, and I would like to thank all my mentors and peers for all the support they have provided throughout my journey.

I would advise all to consider a year out in industry and it gives you invaluable experience you need to work in the professional world, whilst also solidifying everything you have learned at university! Pranay Sodani, prize winner

Previous winners

  • 2021/2022 - Yohan Alexander John
  • 2020/21 - Pranay Sodani
  • 2019/20 - Theano Papakosta
  • 2017/18 - Marta Vicario Godoy
  • 2015/16 - Lewis Bridgeman
  • 2013/14 - Daniel Colin Parkin
  • 2012/13 - Gabriel Casano Carnicer.

About Roger Seebold

Roger completed a special degree in physics from Regent’s Street Polytechnic whilst working at BICC Research Laboratories at Shepherd’s Bush. In 1969, he obtained a doctorate in engineering science from the University of Warwick. He began lecturing at the University of Surrey in 1969, later becoming a senior lecturer.

For 20 years, Roger successfully managed students’ one-year Professional Training placements, matching students with placement applications himself. Roger greatly enjoyed getting to know students through their laboratory workshops and examinations and helping them to complete a fulfilling year of industrial work experience.

After 20 years of running the placements, Roger turned his focus more to the undergraduate courses he was teaching. In 1999, he retired, continuing to teach part-time until 2011.

'Roger has generously funded the R.J.A. Seebold Prize in Electronic Engineering since the 2022/23 academic year, to encourage students to undertake a Professional Training Year and recognise their achievements during their industrial experience.