he University of Warwick has been awarded four Prime Ministerial grants to collaborate on research and education with universities in Asia.

The funding has been awarded under the Prime Minister’s Initiative Scheme (PMI2). This scheme aims to secure the UK as a leader in international education. PMI2 provides money to encourage UK students to study abroad and researchers to seek partnerships with international universities and colleges.

Dr Chris Hughes from Warwick’s Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation has received money to work on a research project with the Organisation for Asian Studies at Waseda University in Japan. Professor Paul Thornalley from Warwick Medical School will collaborate with the School of Medicine at Tokai University in Japan to explore diabetes, renal failure and ageing.

Dr Klaus Richter in the School of Engineering will work with the Department of Civil Engineering of Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand. This project will investigate water quality in rivers affected by caged fish farms. The fourth award, an International Mobility of UK Students Award, has been given to Dr Ewan Stewart of the Language Centre for a project with Beijing Normal University.

The University of Warwick’s Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said: "There is a great deal of competition for the Prime Minister’s Initiative Scheme grants and we are delighted that so many of our bids have been successful."

Kelly Parkes, Communications Officer, University of Warwick, 07824 540863, 02476 150483, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk

Peter Dunn, Press and Media Relations Manager University of Warwick 02476 523708 p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk or mobile 07767 655860

PR38 24th April 2008