Dan is the first Swansea University student to win this prize. Dan joined four other chemical engineering students from Bath, Nottingham, Cambridge and Strathclyde who were also selected for the prize. Dan has already shown his leadership skills when he was awarded the Advanced Leadership Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering last year.

Receiving his prize Dan said:

“Every University is allowed to nominate one student for consideration for the prize, so it was a massive honour to be selected as Swansea University's nomination. I had to go London for interview, which involved answering questions from 2 panels, one from the Salters Institute and another involving experts in Chemical Engineering. It was pretty tough as I was quizzed on issues within the chemical industry, my career plans and also my previous experiences.

“It was a massive honour to be awarded such a prestigious prize, and even more so to receive it from Lord Sainsbury of Turville. 

“Since graduating I did some volunteer work on low cost water treatment facilities in Siem Reap in Cambodia. I am now working as a Process Engineer for Valero at their Pembroke refinery, and my next goal is to become chartered. I am still continuing to learn outside of the workplace and have done courses on Sales and Finance, Economics, and leadership skills since graduating. 

“It is still my desire to be in a position of leadership within oil and gas, so I'm just going to continue to work hard, and continue to take any opportunities that will allow me to develop into a leader in the oil and has sector.” 

The Salters' Institute plays a major role in the support of chemistry teaching, the encouragement of young people to pursue careers in the UK chemical industries, and the promotion of chemical education including the whole area of curriculum development. Up to ten Salters Graduate prizes, of £1,000 each, are awarded to final-year undergraduates studying at UK universities, trying to keep an even balance between chemists and chemical engineers.

The Royal Academy’s Advanced Award Scheme is open to second year MEng undergraduates on a four year engineering degree or third year MEng undergraduates on a five year degree. Award winners are allocated up to £5,000 to carry out their personal development plan over a period of three years and enable the student to be furnished with the skills and capacity to fast-track their career after graduating.

• The Salters’ Institute prizes are awarded on the basis of assessments of the potential of candidates ultimately to occupy leading positions in public life, either by employment in the Chemical or related industries, or more generally in employment that supports the industrial life of the UK. Candidates are expected to show some knowledge of the Chemical industry’s current situation and the need for changing technology in the future. For more information about the Salters’ Institute and the graduate prizes go to http://saltersinstitute.co.uk/prizes/graduate-prizes/.
  
  
• For more information about the Royal Academy of Engineering Advanced Leadership Award go to http://raeng.org.uk/education/undergrad/ela/default.htm.
  
  
• For more information about Swansea University’s Chemical Engineering department and courses on offer go to: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/engineering/chemical

Picture: (left to right ) Dr Chris Russell, Master of the Salters’ Company, Daniel Eadie, Lord Sainsbury of Turville.