Published:
Heriot-Watt has been awarded major funding aimed at producing top engineers of the future.
The existing Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Applied Photonics, has received funding to expand the existing centre aimed at producing experts in photonic imaging, sensing and analysis.
As part of a £446m deal announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the centre will retain the name CDT Applied Photonics.
The improved facility will train more than 55 students over the next eight years in projects co-supervised by industry and academics from Heriot-Watt, St Andrews, Strathclyde, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh universities.
Professor Garry Pender said: “We're delighted to receive EPSRC funding for CDTs in a very competitive environment.
“The research projects created by these post-graduate studentships will provide long-term benefits not only to the students themselves but also to the research base of Scottish Universities.
“Our CDTs will also contribute to the UK Industrial Strategy – producing the best scientists and business-orientated research leaders of the future.”
The research taking place is industry-led and addresses subjects such as lidar for self-driving cars, photonic structural health monitoring and remote chemical sensing.
The EPSRC has supported over 50,000 doctoral students over the last 25 years.