Lloyd's Register Educational Trust awards Euro 1,000,000 to co-finance Chair in Railway Engineering

The Lloyd's Register Educational Trust (LRET), an independent charity, has agreed to award a total of Euro 1,000,000 to the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
On April 3, 2008, the LRET signed an agreement with the Delft University for a Chair in Railway Engineering at its Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.

Mr. Michael Franklin, Director of the LRET, and Prof.ir. L. de Quelerij, Dean of the Delft University's Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences signed the agreement which involves an initial contribution of Euro 50,000 followed by quarterly financing of the same amount over a five-year period.

"The Lloyd's Register Educational Trust aims to deliver a structured programme of financial support worldwide for education, training and research in the fields of science, engineering and technology for the benefit of all", stated Mr. Franklin, "The Delft Chair in Railway Engineering fits within these objectives."

The Chair will be a full-time appointment and will oversee research. He or she will lead a unit within the section Road and Railway Engineering, Construction Department. The Chair in Railway Engineering will provide research and education focusing on availability and safety of rail and rail infrastructure. Mr. Franklin added: "The Chair will contribute to the professionalism of the University's study of Civil Engineering and Geosciences and underlines the increasing importance of rail, its interfaces and infrastructure. In addition, the Lloyd's Register Educational Trust wishes to ensure the continuous availability of exceptional engineers by co-operating with the Delft University in this field."

Delft University of Technology has a strong international orientation and reputation. It strives continuously to provide solutions to national and international questions.

The LRET, which became a registered charity in 2004, is wholly funded, but separate, from the Lloyd's Register Group and is overseen by its own board of trustees. The Lloyd's Register Group last year contributed £6 million GBP for the LRET to support advances in transportation, science, engineering and technology research, education and training worldwide for the benefit of all.
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For more information, contact
Mr. Michael Franklin
Lloyd's Register Educational Trust
T +44 (0)20 7423 2713
F +44 (0)20 7423 2045
E michael.franklin@lr.org
Lloyd's Register Educational Trust
71 Fenchurch Street
London EC3M 4BS, UK
T +44 (0)20 7709 9166
F +44 (0)20 7488 4796
E lret@lr.org
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Note for editors
The Lloyd's Register Educational Trust, an independent charity wholly funded by the Lloyd's Register Group, was established in October 2004. Its principal purpose is to support advances in transportation, science, engineering and technology education, training and research worldwide for the benefit of all. It also funds work that enhances the safety of life and property at sea, on land and in the air. It focuses on four categories:
• pre-university education: through appropriate organisations, promotes careers in science, engineering and technology to young people, their parents and teachers
• university education: through universities and colleges, provides undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships and awards at first degree/masters levels to students of proven ability
• vocational training and professional development: supports professional institutions, educational and training establishments working with people of all ages.
• research: funds existing or new centres of excellence at institutes and universities.

For an image to accompany this release click here - the photo shows Prof.ir. L. de Quelerij, Dean of the Delft University of Technology's Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences (left) and Mr. Michael Franklin, Director of the LRET.