Swansea Alumnus is Smart Engineer
A former Swansea University Engineering graduate who set his sights on building a successful career in the UK technology industry has now seen his employer praised by Her Majesty the Queen.
Twenty-seven-year-old Harshul Metha, originally from Bangalore in India, joined smart metering technology company Sentec Ltd. in Cambridge as Technology Developer following his employment at Bridgend-based TVonics and then Barry-based Lion Laboratories.
"Over the past three years Sentec has more than trebled its overseas earnings to £4.3m following a successful market strategy," said Harshul.
"Sentec’s technology is now included in almost half (approximately 5 million) of the smart electricity meters currently installed in the USA and in 7.7 million meters in total."
This achievement has resulted in Sentec being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category recently.
Commenting on the accolade, he added: "To be part of a ceremony of such enormous magnitude and the honour of meeting Her Majesty the Queen is just amazing.
"I am exceptionally proud to be working in the UK technology industry and with a team which continues to demonstrate such a high level of skill and global ambition.”
Harshul, who graduated with a First Class Honours - the BEng (Hons) - in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Swansea University’s School of Engineering in 2006, said he always knew coming to study in the UK and at Swansea was the right decision.
"I already had two years work experience with Texas Instruments in India and a Diploma in Electronics, but I was keen to ensure that I had the right career platform from which to progress.
"Swansea University had a very good reputation for Engineering and I felt right at home from the moment I got there."
Since completing his degree, Harshul has already made his mark in the technology industry with the development of the first UK Set Top Box - also known as a digital freeview receiver - to be given the energy star logo.
Harshul has also worked on the development of high-end digital freeview recorders while at TVonics; breathalysers that are currently being used by the UK, European, Australian and American police forces at Lion Laboratories and cutting-edge products for the Smart Grid and Smart Metering sectors whilst in his current employment at Sentec.
Looking to the future, Harshul is confident that the technology industry will continue to advance and re-invent itself to take advantage of new and emerging markets.
"The UK technology industry – electronics, engineering, software – underpins every other sector whether transport, communications, medicine or energy. Companies like Sentec also demonstrate the important role small-and medium sized companies continue to play in the economy; providing value-added products, innovative solutions and good career prospects."
For those considering a career in technology or engineering, Harshul said: "There are a lot of opportunities out there and I think through careful planning and with the right joined-up approach, both graduates and the industry will benefit."
In the longer term, Harshul would like to enrol for an MBA to boost his career prospects and business knowledge further.
"In this industry ambition is a plus so I am looking forward to running a multi-million pound turnover semi-conductor company one day. After all, the sky is the limit if you are prepared to work hard."
Commenting on his success, Javier Bonet, Head of the School of Engineering at Swansea University said: “Swansea University maintains its position as one of the top universities in the UK for engineering through working closely with small and medium size businesses and multi-nationals, as well as with public and third sector organisations, on collaborative research projects that help to attract high calibre staff and students to Swansea and, as importantly, help each individual to develop the higher level skills demanded by industry.
"Through his early career success, Harshul Mehta has clearly demonstrated how such skills can be employed effectively, in an engineering and technology environment, to deliver a valuable contribution to the environment and to the economy."
