In January 2005, The School of Chemistry at Bristol University was awarded £4.5m by HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) to create Bristol ChemLabS (Bristol Chemical Laboratory Sciences): a Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning.
The project designed around the context that Chemistry is an exciting, evolving core science, central to the quality of modern life will develop modern facilities and processes for learning chemistry's core practical element; thus creating a major national resource for teaching and learning practical experimental science.
As financial supporters, Shimadzu UK Ltd has pledged £50,000, over 5 years, plus an annual student prize of £500 per year to Bristol ChemLabS. Shimadzu appreciate the value of their sponsorship with a project that aims to provide the best possible undergraduate training in practical chemistry. Indeed, Colin Jump, Managing Director, Shimadzu UK Ltd, commented:
I am very impressed with the investment from both HEFCE and the University of Bristol in the Bristol ChemLabS CETL. Shimadzu is delighted to be associated with such an important venture which I am sure will have a huge impact on the teaching and learning of practical chemistry in higher education and beyond.
Bristol ChemLabS CETL being formally recognised as a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has clearly helped demonstrate these credentials.