THE University of Newcastle UK has become the premier learning centre for pipeline engineering in the world, with over 30 students each year attending its unique pipeline engineering MSc programme. Now, the University has created a Centre for Pipeline Engineering to conduct research work into pipelines. Masters Programme in Pipeline Engineering The north east of England is a major centre for pipeline engineering, being home to some 35 pipeline companies. Having become concerned about the lack of training and education opportunities for pipeline engineers, and the age demographics of the pipeline engineering workforce, the companies approached the University of Newcastle to discuss the possibility of setting up a masters programme in pipeline engineering. The programme commenced in 2001 under the guidance of a combined academic and industry steering committee. Its aim is simple: to equip the next generation of pipeline engineers with appropriate qualifications. Currently, it has over 30 students annually attending the course, and already over 100 students have graduated from the programme. The syllabus of the course has been designed to meet the specific requirements of the oil and gas sector, covering both high-pressure offshore and onshore pipelines. A unique feature of this programme is the high level of participation by the pipeline industry in specifying the curriculum, and in providing a larger number of visiting lecturers. The masters programme will offer distance learning options in 2006: in particular, a 'Certificate of Pipeline Engineering' will be offered. This Certificate will be awarded after a student successfully completes a distance learning course of 29 lectures, and passes examinations during a summer school at the university. For more information on this programme, see www.ncl.ac.uk/pipe.eng, or contact enquiries.pipeng@ncl.ac.uk. Centre for Pipeline Engineering The university intends to build on the success of the masters programme by forming the Centre for Pipeline Engineering. It will be based in the School of Marine Science and Technology, and conduct pipeline engineering research. The Centre will start with a pipeline integrity and safety focus: this will be of immediate appeal to the industry, and the Centre will also provide e-learning services to the pipeline industry. The need for these services is demonstrated in the success of Newcastle's MSc programme, and feedback from the industry. The Centre will also commit to research two other areas (carbon dioxide pipelines and hydrogen pipelines) to start building its research expertise in highly-relevant long-term research areas, and areas of topical interest. The Centre will offer various levels of membership to both small companies and corporations. Membership will allow companies access to the e-learning materials, the research programmes, and the staff in the Centre and university. For further information contact Phil Hopkins at p.hopkins@penspen.com, or phil.hopkins@newcastle.ac.uk.