Exeter plays significant role in new Centre for Doctoral Training

The new Centre, a partnership between Exeter, the University of Warwick and Cranfield University, will produce the next generation of manufacturing business leaders with a high level understanding of interdisciplinary enterprise, the research experience essential to compete in a global low carbon environment, and an international view of Sustainability and the Circular Economy.

The Centre will also address industry-driven research challenges including: establishing natural or recovered materials as feed-stocks, reducing process inputs and outputs without compromising performance or economic viability, extracting high value materials from waste streams, and ultimately establishing economic and environmental sustainability.

It is one of 22 new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) recently announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. The new Centres come on top of the 91 Centres previously announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in November 2013, and January 2014.

Professor Stephen Eichhorn, from Exeter’s Engineering department and a co-director of the Centre, said: “I am really excited that this Centre has been funded by the EPSRC and am looking forward to working closely with Warwick and Cranfield to train the next generation of leaders in the field of sustainable materials, in partnership with a wide range of industries.

“This Centre adds to our already existing activities in sustainable materials and the sustainability theme across the University.’”

This latest Government investment in a further 1100 students through an additional 22 Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), brings the total investment in CDTs to more than £500 million.

In addition, universities, industry and other charitable partners will be adding a further £70 million to their already large contribution of £374 million to support the training of tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The combined public and private investment amounts to over £950 million.

Mr Osborne said: “A forward looking, modern industrial strategy is part of our long term economic plan to deliver security, jobs and growth to all parts of the UK. Our £500 million investment in Centres for Doctoral training will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, ensuring Britain leads the world in high-tech research and manufacturing.”