The CIBSE Ken Dale Travel Bursary, a competition offering up to £4,000 to an early-career engineer to travel and research an area of building services engineering, celebrates its 17th anniversary this year.
But who was the man after whom the bursary is named?
Ken Dale was born in Birmingham in 1925. After serving in the Royal Air Force from 1942-1946, he was among the first students at the National College of Heating, Ventilating, Refrigeration and Fan Engineering.
Dale gained experience with various contracting and consulting engineering firms before setting up his
own practice in 1954, working on iconic buildings such as the Royal Opera House and Chatsworth House.
He held key leadership roles within the industry, including president of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers and of the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations.
Dale was instrumental in securing a Royal Charter for what would become CIBSE, and in 1982 he was made an OBE for his dedication to engineering and to public and military service.
The Ken Dale Travel Bursary was established in his honour, and gives CIBSE members the opportunity to explore international engineering innovations and gain valuable experience.
Applications for the 2025 bursary are open. To enter, visit: Ken Dale Travel Bursary – the deadline is 25 April.
