University of Surrey and Winchester Science Centre Launch New Partnership

The ceremony took place on Thursday 28 January at Winchester Science Centre where representatives from the two organisations witnessed Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, and Ben Ward, Chief Executive of Winchester Science Centre sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Winchester Science Centre is an independent educational charity that welcomes around 200,000 people to its hands-on science facility and planetarium every year. The University of Surrey conducts world-class research with particular expertise in areas like 5G telecommunications, the space sector and health care innovations. 

The MOU signals both organisations’ appetite to collaborate on a wide range of engagement and outreach initiatives including: placement opportunities for students; increased involvement by the University of Surrey in projects at the Centre; a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths (STEAM) student ambassador initiative; and community projects aimed at ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn about and benefit from a career in STEAM subjects.

Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said: “It is a great privilege to be partnering with such an inspirational organisation as Winchester Science Centre. The signing of the MOU marked the beginning of a strong partnership between two communities that share a passion for learning and for the promotion of science and technology.”

Ben Ward, Chief Executive of Winchester Science Centre, said: “Our charity is committed to widening participation in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through engaging children in fun and dynamic STEM experiences. Collaborations such as this enable us to showcase real-life research taking place in our region as well as to develop new ways of communicating STEM. I am excited to see how our new partnership develops, particularly through the University’s promotion of arts and humanities in STEM.”

The University demonstrated how the Arts integrate with STEM by incorporating music and poetry into the ceremony. The University String Ensemble played as guests explored the Science Centre and during the ceremony PhD student Astra Papachristodoulou performed her piece ‘Mirrorcube’, an experimental work that combines poetry, visual art and performance.