The University of Glasgow has received £4.7m in funding to support a new Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Integrative Sensing and Measurement, it was announced today (Friday 28 March).

The centre is one of 22 announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon George Osborne MP, which will provide postgraduate training in a wide range of engineering and scientific fields.

Mr Osborne made the announcement during a visit to University of Manchester. The new CDTs are in addition to the 91 Centres previously announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in November 2013 and January 2014.

The Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh will partner on this CDT with a wide range of industrial research and international partners to produce doctoral graduates with a deep understanding of the principles of sensing and measurement.

The CDT in Integrative Sensing and Measurement will be led by Prof Andy Harvey of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Prof Harvey said: “Sensing and measurement are the most fundamental scientific capabilities. Scientific understanding is increased by devising, making and interpreting measurements, and engineering progress is made when that understanding is put to beneficial use.

“Sensing and measurement impacts on a wide spectrum of modern life, from food and health to energy and transport. The developing ‘internet of things’, for example, will be enabled by sophisticated sensing capabilities designed into ultra-compact, low-power, multi-functional, high-performance integrated systems.

“However, there is a significant skills gap in this area in the UK. The expertise of the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in physics, chemistry and engineering makes us ideally-placed to ensure the gap is bridged for maximum benefit to industry and the economy.”

The Centre will provide training for at least 56 PhD students and additional EngD students over the next eight years. The first student intake will be in October 2014.

EPSRC and other research councils have been able to fund these new Centres following a £106 million investment announced in the Budget, and by negotiating with universities, industrial partners and the Scottish Funding Council, to maximise the number of centres and the students they will be supporting.

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.”

This latest Government investment in a further 1,100 students through an additional 22 Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), brings the total investment in CDTs to over £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.

Professor David Delpy, Chief Executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), said: “We have been working hard with universities and partners to ensure that as many Centres as possible can be supported.

“The CDT model has proved highly popular with universities and industry and these new Centres will mean that the UK is even better placed to maintain the vital supply of trained scientists and engineers.”

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Media Enquiries: ross.barker@glasgow.ac.uk / 0141 330 3535

First published: 28 March 2014