Ford is providing scholarships of £10,000 per student over a three-year period for ten students to study on a selection of engineering and science programmes at the University of Bath.
Bath is one of 12 leading universities selected by Ford to receive scholarships as part of Ford of Britain’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years as a leading marketing and car sales operation in the UK.
The company’s scholarship programme aims to develop the country’s next generation of student engineers, scientists and innovators.
Announced by William Clay Ford, great-grandson of Henry Ford and executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, the scholarship programme recognises the skills that are fundamental to Ford’s future industrial base, the re-balancing of the UK economy and long-term economic success.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell said: “Being selected to receive ten scholarships from Ford as part of its centenary celebrations is testament to the high-quality of our engineering and science graduates.
“Through our on-going relationship with Ford we have developed a reputation within the company for training excellent engineers and scientists, with the appropriate employability skills to contribute positively to British industry as soon as they graduate.”
The University and Ford have been working together for over 25 years. The company has been involved in mentoring undergraduate student projects as well as many aspects of research, through both direct-funded programmes on campus and other collaborations.
Professor Gary Hawley, Faculty Dean and Director of the University’s Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre, said: “The University worked with Ford throughout the 1990s in the field of clean, direct injection diesel engines. Direct injection resulted in a 15 per cent fuel consumption benefit, but there were cleanliness and air quality issues which we worked on improving.
“In the past ten years the focus of our research with the company has changed, and it is now more on enhancing fuel consumption and reducing CO2. The work we have done with Ford leads directly into the next generation of production vehicles.”
Ford directly employs over 15,000 people in the UK, many in highly-skilled roles developing and building high-technology, fuel-efficient, low CO2 engines.
Ford has recently announced a further £1.5 billion investment in low-carbon engineering and manufacturing, which is helping to underpin the UK’s manufacturing and export-based economic recovery.
Further details regarding eligibility and other criteria will be made available shortly.
…………………
If you enjoyed this article you might also like:
Hydrogen fuel cell cars on show at ElectroChem 2011, August 2011
Students help to build supersonic car, June 2011
Research to make car fuel from thin air, March 2010