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05 December 2008
Sheffield to train engineering leaders for Britain´s future
The University of Sheffield will help train the next generation of science and engineering leaders in five new centres, thanks to major investment by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – the UK funding body for science and engineering.
The EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training are a bold new approach to training PhD students, creating communities of researchers working on current and future challenges. They will provide a radical alternative to the traditional PhD route, as each year a cohort of 10 PhD students undertake activities, projects and training together, while tackling some of the UK´s biggest problems.
Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, announced the £250million initiative which will create 44 training centres across the UK and generate over 2000 PhD students. In securing five of the 44 Centres, the University of Sheffield has confirmed its reputation for research excellence in the fields of energy research, metallurgy, nuclear energy and advanced engineering for the water sector.
The University, based in the heart of the UK´s Steel City, continuously strives to strengthen UK manufacturing. The Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Metallic Systems will help ensure that the UK remains globally competitive in metal manufacturing. In conjunction with the University of Manchester, the Centre will provide world-class training for a new generation of metals specialists who will work across a range of strategic technology sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, renewable energy and defence.
Making the transition to a low carbon economy, whilst ensuring a secure energy supply, is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK today. The Sheffield Training in Interdisciplinary Energy Research Centre will provide training across a number of critical areas relating to the environment and sustainable energy. The Centre will combine the knowledge and expertise in all aspects of energy, ranging from solar cells, combustion, transport systems, nuclear power and demand reduction to energy management, environmental issues of waste disposal, the carbon cycle and public perception of energy issues.
The UK has embarked on an ambitious programme of legacy waste management, and is planning both a replacement nuclear deterrent and a new generation of nuclear power stations. The Doctoral Training Centre for Nuclear Fission Research, Science and Technology (a collaboration between Sheffield and Manchester) will play a key role in nuclear fission technology and will focus on the unique chemistry, physics and materials science of the actinide elements and their compounds. Actinides play a crucial role in fission technology and defence strategy but present a long-term hazard which requires careful management, particularly in the context of nuclear waste disposal and environmental contamination.
In collaboration with a consortium of UK universities, including Cranfield, Newcastle, Exeter and Imperial College London, the University of Sheffield will co-run the Skills, Technology, Research and Management Industrial Doctorate Centre in Water Research. Drawing on the expertise of all five universities, the Centre will deliver cutting-edge training to doctoral students to equip them with the knowledge and transferable skills to tackle some of the most pressing global, regional and national challenges faced by the water industry.
The UK Nuclear Industry requires researchers with nuclear competence and expertise. In partnership with the Universities of Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Strathclyde and Imperial College London, the University of Sheffield will help develop this nuclear competence. The Nuclear Engineering Doctorate Centre will achieve this through industry focused research, complemented by a framework of technical and professional development training.
Professor Mike Hounslow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: "Securing funding for five Centres confirms the University of Sheffield´s excellent reputation for engineering research. These Centres will enable us to deliver truly world-class training in line with our aspiration to provide the best research experience for doctoral students and our strategic vision to address global challenges facing society, today and in the future. We believe that graduates from our centres with their mix of technical, industrial and team skills will provide future leaders for UK industry and universities."
Commenting on today´s announcement (5 December 2008), Lord Drayson said: "Britain faces many challenges in the 21st Century and needs scientists and engineers with the right skills to find answers to these challenges, build a strong economy and keep us globally competitive. EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training will provide a new wave of engineers and scientists to do the job."
He continued: "These new Centres will help to develop clean renewable energy, fight high tech crime, assist in reducing carbon emissions and discover new healthcare solutions for an ageing population. This is an exciting, innovative approach to training young researchers and will help build a better future for Britain."
Professor Dave Delpy, chief executive of EPSRC, added: "People are the heart of our future strategy. We want to drive a modern economy and meet the challenges of tomorrow by investing in talented people and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training expand our existing training portfolio, focus on priority themes for the UK, emerging and multidisciplinary research, and greater collaboration with business."
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