University of Southampton: New chemical engineering facilities open for sustainable future

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.”

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.”