A NEW centre helping to train the civil engineers, construction managers and environmental planners of the future has been officially opened.
Philip Green, chief executive of Warrington-based water company United Utilities, performed the opening of Liverpool John Moores University’s Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Centre, which has been awarded Institute status in recognition of its outstanding work.
BEST is part of JMU’s School of Built Environment, and has been recognised for its “world leading” research.
Mr Green said: “We work closely with Liverpool John Moores, advising the university on the real-world business skills its students need to succeed, and it’s always great to go back.
“I enjoyed meeting some exceptionally bright students, whom I’m sure have very promising careers ahead of them.”
The work of the Institute is supported internationally by the EU, UK and USA Ministry of Defence, Carbon Trust, Technology Strategy Board.
Mike Riley, director of the School of Built Environment, said: “All BEST research relies on the close links with industrial and commercial partners that have been developed. We are very proud of the work that is being undertaken by BEST, which we feel is truly unique in terms of its quality, focus and application to industry.”
