New Naval Oceanographic Centre of Excellence announced

The University of Plymouth has signed an agreement with the Flag Officer Sea Training - Hydrography, Meteorology and Oceanography (FOST HM), to establish a Centre of Excellence in Naval Oceanographic Research and Education (CENORE). CENORE, which will be operational from autumn 2009, will enable Royal Naval personnel to undertake advanced academic degrees and will offer a platform for the development of research and enterprise activities of mutual interest to the Royal Navy and the University of Plymouth. The centre will be led by a steering committee composed of representatives from the University of Plymouth, the University at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), FOST HM and other sections of the Royal Navy and will be associated with the University's School of Marine Science and Technology. It is intended that the centre will have both a physical and virtual presence at the main University of Plymouth campus. University of Plymouth lead, Professor Georgy Shapiro, welcomes this significant development; "This is an exciting venture which brings together the University of Plymouth and Royal Navy, allowing a synergy of experience and development of ideas, furthering the University's reputation as a leader in both enterprise and marine expertise. We very much look forward to working with our new colleagues in this pioneering new partnership."