IGER to merge with the University

Friday 4 May, 2007
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council confirms transfer of IGER to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Professor Noel Lloyd, Vice-chancellor and Principal of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA) has welcomed the announcement by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) on Friday 4 May, that it wishes to transfer the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) at Plas Gogerddan to the University.

In a statement to staff at the University Professor Lloyd said:
“I am very pleased to be able to report that the BBSRC has confirmed its wish to transfer IGER at Plas Gogerddan, together with the associated funding, to UWA. The new entity will form the basis of a new research centre for international scientific excellence and knowledge transfer related to land-based research.  Building on the Research and Enterprise Partnership with the University of Wales Bangor, a second phase will be the establishment of an Institute of Sustainable Land Use involving the two universities.

“I welcome this development most warmly. The initiative offers exciting scientific opportunities and will enable us to create an internationally competitive research entity.  The range of  expertise and facilities available will lead to the delivery of excellence in research and innovation – pure research, and strategic research which will be of economic benefit across the land use sector and beyond.

“The broad scope of the science strategy for the new organisation has been accepted, and this will now be developed further by BBSRC and the university.

“The whole process has started positively and all parties are keen to progress as rapidly as possible.  However, the detailed discussions will take time to complete.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to create a world class centre for research and innovation in the environmental and land use sciences.”