University of Warwick takes share of £350m to train tomorrow’s engineers and scientists

The University has received the investment from the research funding body Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to create four Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) designed to nurture the brightest PhD students. The four centres focus on the areas of real-world mathematics, molecular analysis, cities and the science of diamonds.

Warwick will work alongside key partners from the public and private sector to deliver the training.

The funding is part of a £350 million package spread across more than 70 new centres and 24 UK universities announced by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts. The exact amount to be awarded to Warwick has not yet been determined.

A number of the other Research Councils, including the Medical Research Council and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, are also contributing towards Centres with key relevance to their fields of research.

Warwick will lead the centres to train the next generation of researchers in the following areas:

· Molecular Analytical Science

· Urban Science and Progress

· Mathematics for Real-World Systems (jointly supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)

· Diamond Science and Technology

The University of Warwick is also a partner in the Oxford-Warwick Statistics CDT.

Pro Vice-Chancellor: Research (Science and Medicine), Knowledge Transfer and Business Engagement Professor Tim Jones said: “We are delighted that the EPSRC has approved funding for these Warwick-led Centres for Doctoral Training.

“The new centres will nurture the scientists and engineers of tomorrow and help them gain the knowledge and skills needed to face the challenges of the 21st century.

“The CDT model means these students will not only be able to draw from the world-class research already going on within the University of Warwick, but also from expertise within local business, industry and public service providers.”

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. The standard of applications for Centres was very high and more could have been funded if we had the capacity.”