- The Wolfson Foundation chief executive, Paul Ramsbottom OBE, visited Aston University
- He met with the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aleks Subic
- Visit included a tour of The Wolfson Centre for Photonics for Food and Agri-Tech.
Aston University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Aleks Subic, attended a visit from Paul Ramsbottom OBE, the chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation.
Mr Ramsbottom was given his first tour of The Wolfson Centre for Photonics for Food and Agri-Tech, which the Foundation supported with a grant of £500,000 in 2019.
The tour was led yesterday (6 September) by Professor Sergei Turitsyn, director of the University’s internationally recognised Aston Institute of Photonic Technology (AIPT).
The Wolfson grant has boosted the University’s research in photonics – the science of light - particularly within the food and agri-tech industries.
Professor Turitsyn said: “The Wolfson Foundation grant provided an important initial impetus for expanding our research on applications of photonics technologies in the food industry and agriculture sector.”
“Food quality and safety are among the major challenges facing humankind, and we are happy that advances in photonics are opening up the technology opportunities that might revolutionise the food and agri-tech industries. It is a remarkable feeling that light science and technology developed in the Wolfson Centre might help to solve important social problems making a positive impact on us all.”
The Wolfson Foundation awards grants for new buildings, refurbishment and equipment to support excellence in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts and humanities.
The Foundation has been a generous supporter of Aston University since 1992, awarding capital grants to a range of projects including the construction of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) building on campus in 2007 and the refurbishment works in Aston University’s Laboratory for Immersive Virtual Environments (ALIVE) in 2014.
The Wolfson Foundation’s chief executive, Paul Ramsbottom OBE said: “It is a great delight to be back at Aston, and a particular privilege to welcome Aleks Subic into his new leadership role. I enjoyed my visit to see some of the impressive photonics research. We were pleased to contribute funding to these new facilities which will allow their researchers to explore how the technology could be applied to meet challenges in food production and food safety.”
Vice-chancellor, Aleks Subic said: “I’m delighted to meet Paul for the first time and welcome him to Aston University.
“The visit has given me the opportunity to personally thank him for The Wolfson Foundation grant which will help continue our vital research in photonics.
“We are very proud of AIPT and the ground-breaking research it is carrying out to solve real-world issues, a focus which lies at the heart of Aston’s research strategy.”
Photo caption (left-right) Vice-Chancellor, Aleks Subic and Paul Ramsbottom OBE
- Notes to editors
Notes to Editors
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.
Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 12,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.
Twitter: @wolfsonfdn
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a university since 1966, Aston is a long-established university led by its three main beneficiary groups – students, business and the professions, and the West Midlands region and wider society. Located in Birmingham at the heart of a vibrant city, the campus houses all the University’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Aleks Subic is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
In 2022 Aston University was ranked in the top 25 of the Guardian University Guide, based on measures including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects. The Aston Business School MBA programme was ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
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