HRH The Duke of Kent visits Cranfield University
Right:
Prof Ian Gray, HRH The Duke of Kent, Mrs Helen Nellis, Mr Charles Whitbread and Sir Peter Gregson.
The Duke was joined on his tour by Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Colonel Colin Mason, OBE; HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis; High Sherriff, Mr Charles Whitbread and dignitaries from the University.
Sir Peter Gregson said: “It was an honour to welcome HRH The Duke of Kent to the campus. The tour allowed him to see first-hand how the very best of our pioneering research and education is benefiting students and having a profound impact on people’s lives in communities around the world.”
The Royal party visited the Nano Membrane Toilet exhibition to understand the development of the project and learn about the future plans of this exciting research. Sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation the toilet treats human waste in the home without external energy or water. The team is currently enhancing the design of the toilet with an innovative energy solution that will complete the treatment of the human waste, a potential life saver for the 2.5 billion people in the developing world without access to basic sanitation.
The Duke also visited the University’s Masterplan exhibition and met with the team leading the developments. Launched two years ago, the Masterplan provides a framework for major investment in the University’s facilities and infrastructure over a 25-year period.
Some of the buildings forming part of the improvements are already underway. The Aerospace Integrated Research Centre’s (AIRC) steel framework is taking shape, altering the heart of the Bedfordshire campus, with the completion of the building planned for early in 2017. The Centre will provide a dedicated space and specialist equipment to address challenges facing the aerospace sector worldwide.