The Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Dr. Robert A. Birch was awarded his PhD in Mechanical Engineering (with High Commendation) from The University of the West Indies in 2019.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering from The University of the West Indies in 1995 and 2001 respectively.   Dr. Birch is a professional engineer (R.Eng) registered with the Board of Engineering Trinidad and Tobago and a Project Management Professional (PMP) since 2004.  He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) of the UK, and a member of the European Society of Agricultural Engineers (EurAgEng) since 2012. He has over twenty (20) years industrial experience in the areas of fluid power and control technology, engineering design, business development and project management as well as twenty-four (24) years’ experience in teaching, research and development (R&D). Dr. Birch is presently the chairman of the Continuing Engineering Education Centre (CEEC) and the lead instructor for the courses in Engineering Graphics (MENG 1008), Machine Drawing (MENG 1009), Elements of Food Engineering (MENG 3020), Traction and Power Hydraulics (MENG 3027) and Field Machinery (MENG 3008). His specific area of interest is in the design and development of innovative, intelligent earth-working, crop production and agro-processing machinery.