Swansea University’s College of Engineering has been selected as one of only five universities in the UK, and the only one in Wales, to be part of a prestigious new multi-million pound initiative funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to train engineers of the future.
Five new Industrial Centres for Engineering Doctorate Training in Manufacturing Engineering, covering key areas of advanced manufacturing vital to growth in three of the UK’s biggest industrial sectors, the automotive, aerospace and packaging industries, will be established at the chosen institutions, including Swansea University.
The centres will help postgraduate research students taking an engineering doctorate (EngD) to understand the needs of business, how to be entrepreneurs, as well as training them in the most innovative and sustainable future technologies in advanced manufacturing, while working on projects with collaborating industrial partners.
The Centre based in Swansea University’s College of Engineering, which was selected for its strong track record of working in partnership with industry, will focus on new techniques for improving manufacturing process. 26 Engineering Doctorate (EngD) places will be funded for students with excellent undergraduate degrees in all areas of engineering and related subjects to participate in the four-year postgraduate scheme.
Project Director at Swansea University, Professor J Sienz said: “We are delighted to be part of this highly prestigious project which strengthens Swansea University’s College of Engineering’s leading position in research, enabling us to work with a wide range of collaborating companies, which we expect to expand as the project develops.
“The Swansea project, entitled ‘MATTER’ (Manufacturing Advances Through Training Engineering Researchers) will specifically target high technology advanced manufacturing within the core themes of aerospace, automotive and packaging. We will also be working with cross-cutting themes of value-added and lean manufacturing and sustainability.”
The Swansea project value is £3.7 million, with £1.25 million provided by the EPSRC and £2.45 million from collaborating companies, including Jaguar Cars Limited and Land Rover, Aerocan UK Ltd, Tata Steel Colors, Tata Steel Strip Products, Timet UK Limited, Linpac Metal Decorating, Royston Labels Limited, TWI Wales, Novelis Global Technology Centre, Magnesium Elektron Ltd, SAB Miller plc and Swansea University.
Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, who recently announced the initiative said: “These new centres will generate a new wave of engineers with the knowledge and skills needed to become future business leaders and create new innovation and economic growth for the UK.”
