University of Exeter receives £5 million investment for STEM subjects

The substantial grant will fund a number of capital infrastructure projects designed to bolster create additional facilities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects on the Streatham and Penryn Campuses.

Exeter is one of 73 universities and colleges nationwide that will receive a share of the Government's £200 million funding for STEM subjects during 2015-16, confirmed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) today (December 8 2014).

The scheme is intended to ensure that higher education responds effectively to the increase in demand for STEM studies by developing facilities that will support an increased flow of highly employable graduates into industry.

The grant will be used to complete 19 projects in total, including a field station to allow demonstrations and testing of renewable energy equipment, the provision of digital microscopy and streaming facilities, and new or refurbished teaching and research laboratories.

The University of Exeter has committed more that £5M of matched funding for the project, reflecting the importance that the University places on the proposed new facilities and equipment.

Professor Nick Talbot FRS, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) said: "We want to train the scientific leaders of tomorrow at Exeter.  This award will allow us to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our students in science, engineering, maths and medicines across each of our campuses.  It is tremendously exciting to be able to teach students in the interdisciplinary skills they will need to succeed in science.  Being a scientist is such a rewarding career and this award underlines our commitment at Exeter to allow our students to realise their full potential."

Professor Ken Evans, Dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences said: “I am delighted that our students and staff at both the Streatham and Penryn Campuses will benefit from the world-class facilities that this substantial funding will provide. It will provide a further boost to our commitment to providing the very best opportunities for everyone within the College, and support our ambition to be at the forefront of global research in science, mathematics and engineering.”

Professor Tim Quine, from the College of Life and Environmental Sciences said: “We see this investment as integral to our work to reach out to the most diverse group of STEM students of the future, to ensure that our graduates have the attributes and skills that industry demands and to collaborate more closely with business and industry regionally, nationally and globally.”

Vince Cable, Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: "Inspiring young people to take up STEM courses is vital to the success of the UK economy. This investment will mean world-class teaching facilities to build tomorrow's skilled workforce. It's just one way we are ensuring the UK remains a world leader in science and research."

Madeleine Atkins, Chief Executive of HEFCE said: ‘This funding is badly needed by universities and colleges to meet the increased interest in science and engineering. It will also ensure that students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories, and are thereby equipped for the workplace of the 21st century.

‘I am particularly pleased to see successful projects across all parts of the country, and the degree to which institutions are focusing their investment to support their local economies and key industry partners.’