The Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ is seen as a centre of excellence in the field of automotive research and last month Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee gave approval for the university to build a £14m Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC) on its Moulsecoomb campus.
Work is expected to start in the next few weeks and is scheduled for completion in December next year.
The AEC will allow the university to establish world-class specialist teaching facilities alongside state-of-the-art research laboratories with its long term partners.
The AEC will support the further expansion and enhancement of the partnership between the automotive industry and the university to advance the design and development of novel low-carbon internal combustion systems, with the wider objectives of advancing technological knowledge and supporting the advanced training needs of the next generation of engineers for the region.
Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the university’s College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences, said: “These are very exciting times for the university and its researchers and we are delighted to have been selected as spoke for the APC.
“This is in no small way recognition of the hard work, skills and professionalism of Professor Heikal and his team.”
Brighton’s was one of two spoke appointments, the second going to the University of Bath.
Business Minister Anna Soubry said: “This is great news for the universities of Bath and Brighton and another step forward for the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
“The automotive sector and its supply chain are a vital part of the UK economy and these new spokes will bring together the communities to ensure we have the skills we need for the future. By harnessing new technologies and getting ahead of the game in research and development, the UK will be in the driving seat to develop the vehicles of tomorrow.”