The Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, visited Cranfield University yesterday [10 October 2023] to see its world-leading specialist facilities and research, and to meet with students at the Bedfordshire campus.
Rishi Sunak met a number of students from the University who are studying courses in robotics and aerospace engineering. He toured the Aerospace Integration Research Centre, a £35 million collaborative centre of excellence which integrates advanced technologies, reducing the time from academic innovation to industrial application.
The Prime Minister was able to see the University’s close links to industry as infrastructure and collaborative projects with Rolls-Royce and Airbus were on show. And he experienced Cranfield’s leading work in robotics and automation with a hands-on demonstration of the latest technologies.
Professor Dame Helen Atkinson DBE FREng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing and Materials, hosted the Prime Minister and said: “I felt extremely proud to show the Prime Minister the groundbreaking research and industry collaborations that set Cranfield apart. Our wonderful students were so engaging and spoke to him about their motivations for study and how their experiences at Cranfield will take them forwards in their careers.”
Cranfield’s expertise and facilities attract students from around the globe. Sam Deddis, a PhD student in Thermal Power, met the Prime Minister and said: “It was a privilege to meet the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and showcase the exciting work we are conducting to pave the way for aviation’s future.”
