School of Chemistry awarded a new Centre for Doctoral Training in Catalysis

Cardiff benefits as Willetts announces £350M for postgraduate study  

Cardiff School of Chemistry is set to benefit from a £350M fund to train postgraduate students in engineering and physical sciences, announced by Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts.

Cardiff has secured a share of the UK's largest investment in postgraduate training in engineering and physical sciences. In total the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will fund over seventy new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), spread across 24 UK universities.

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. 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."

Professor Karen Holford, Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Physical Sciences & Engineering said: "This funding is targeted at areas vital to economic growth and is good news for Cardiff's thriving postgraduate community.  Postgraduate study in the Physical Sciences and Engineering at Cardiff offers academic excellence in areas with high levels of economic and societal impact. Our Centres will involve research that connects to key industries and important technologies which will aid innovation and growth."

The Cardiff School of Chemistry will lead the Centre for Doctoral Training in Catalysis, addressing some of society's biggest challenges through catalysis: clean energy generation, environmental clean-up of air and water and sustainable manufacture.

This interdisciplinary programme led by Cardiff, with the universities of Bath and Bristol, will offer postgraduate training in Catalysis and Reaction Engineering. 

Professor Graham Hutchings, Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Catalysis, Cardiff University said: "This interdisciplinary programme will allow postgraduates to develop an advanced knowledge of traditional and emerging catalysis disciplines, an understanding of industry and global contexts plus research and professional skills. The resulting graduates will drive and grow the UK catalysis sector as well as support the needs of UK industry."

Cardiff University is also a partner in two further Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs). These are The Water Informatics: Science and Engineering (WISE) CDT, led by Exeter and joined by GW4 partners Cardiff, Bristol and Bath. Cardiff also partners in the Diamond Science and Technology CDT – led by Warwick University.