Washington State University says it has created a new fellowship, funded by a Chinese corporation, to support graduate students.
The Shandong Chambroad Holding Company Ltd. will provide up to $5 million in funding for as many as 20 students in fields like chemical engineering, chemistry and materials science. The fellowship will focus specifically on the chemical process called catalysis. Catalysis is used in producing almost all commercial products, including pesticides, fertilizers and all manner of chemicals.
Why does this area of study need millions in grant money? Innovations in catalysis could make the process more efficient, reduce costs and and help mitigate the environmental impact of chemical and fuels, according to Jim Petersen, director of the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at WSU. According to Chis Keane, vice president for research, the fellowship will produce research with implications in food, energy and the environment.
The partnership came about after Keane and Vice President for International Programs Asif Chaudhry traveled to China in January. Because it can help advance society, Chaudhry sees the partnership as an example of the positive impacts of international collaboration. The Shandong Chambroad Holding Company Ltd. is a private company based in Boxing County, part of China's heavily industrialized northeast region. It’s involved in a variety of enterprises, including petrochemicals, property management and agriculture.
