Loughborough University is to be a partner in five new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), which will help to train the next generation of scientists and engineers.

A £350 million fund for the new Centres was announced today (22 November) by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts. The funding, targeted at areas vital to economic growth, has been allocated by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The Centres in which Loughborough will be a partner will focus on:

• Energy Demand (LoLo)
• Fuel Cells and their Fuels – Clean Power for the 21st Century
• Gas Turbine Aerodynamics
• New and Sustainable Photovoltaics
• Additive Manufacturing

Professor Myra Nimmo, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research at Loughborough University, said: “We are delighted with the successes announced today by the EPSRC. Our role in five EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training reinforces Loughborough’s position as a leading research intensive university, where we pride ourselves on our strong collaborations with industry. Through these Centres, Loughborough University will be home to the very best training programmes for the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Science Minister David Willetts said: “Scientists and engineers are vital to our economy and society. It is their talent and imagination, as well as their knowledge and skills, that inspire innovation and drive growth across a range of sectors, from manufacturing to financial services.

“I am particularly pleased to see strong partnerships between universities, industry and business among the new centres announced today. This type of collaboration is a key element of our industrial strategy and will continue to keep us at the forefront of the global science race.”

Paul Golby, EPSRC’s Chair, said: “Centres for Doctoral Training have already proved to be a great success and the model is popular with students, business and industry. These new centres will give the country the highly trained scientists and engineers it needs and they will be equipped with skills to move on in their careers.”

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