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New chemical engineering facilities open for sustainable future

Published: 11 November 2022
People walking through lab
Dr Mohamed Hassan Sayed, Dr Jamie Renshaw, Prof Allam Ahmed touring the facility

The University of Southampton has opened new state of the art facilities to deliver high quality chemical engineering education.

Thanks to an investment of £5.3million, the new facilities demonstrate the University’s commitment to the profession. The spaces include a new teaching laboratory, a virtual control room and computing, design and study spaces. This will enable study to support the needs of society with greater emphasis on sustainability, ethics and diversity and contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The event was attended by the University’s senior leadership team, chemical engineering staff and students and members of the Chemical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board.

The President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) opened the new space. The industry’s professional body is now in its 100th year.

Professor David Bogle, IChemE President, said:

“I am honoured to officially open these fabulous new chemical engineering facilities at the University of Southampton, particularly in the Institution’s centenary year.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering such wonderful facilities for chemical engineers at the University which will support world class teaching and research.”

People stood smiling around plaque unveiling
Official opening of the new facility

President and Vice-Chancellor of University of Southampton, Professor Mark E. Smith, said:

“The incorporation of sustainability and digitisation to the new chemical engineering courses at the University of Southampton are great achievements that the chemical industries welcome. The innovation, rigour and investment in the course will prepare graduates to make valuable contributions towards a more sustainable future.”

The importance of the new facilities to meet the needs of a growing population and an increase in the standard of living across the globe was highlighted. Professor Allam Ahmed, President of the World Association for Sustainable Development, said:

"In recent times due to the pandemic and the change in attitudes towards sustainability and the environment, I commend the University of Southampton and Dr Mohamad Hassan (course leader) for designing and launching a course in chemical engineering that challenges conventional thinking and helps shape engineers and the landscape of the chemical industries of the future.”

People looking at equipment in the new facility
Fluidised beds. Tracy Loughran, Senior Principal Engineer Exxonmobil; Prof David Bogle, President IChemE; Prof Allam Ahmed, Head of World Association for Sustainable Development
Person looking at the new equipment in the facility
Looking at distillation column in the production of bioethanol. Prof David Bogle, President IChemE
People touring the new facility
tainable DevelopmentTouring the new facilities: Dr Mohamed Hassan Sayed, Director of Programme Chemical Engineering UoS; Dr Jamie Renshaw, Technical Manager Exxonmobil; Prof Allam Ahmed, Head of World Association for Sus
People stood smiling around plaque unveiling
Official opening: Prof Michael Butler; Prof Mark E.Smith; Prof David Bogle; Dr Mohamed Hassan Sayed; Prof Andrea Russell; Dr Nuno Bimbo; Prof David Richards; Prof Jonathon Essex
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