OXFORDSHIRE, U.K. -- The University of Nottingham is to become the first Bookham Technology funded research centre, after entering into a three-year deal with the communications technology company for research into Optoelectronic Simulation.

The new partnership will provide high-performance computer and laboratory equipment to a research team based in the University's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The company will also fund a Bookham Technology Research Fellow and a Bookham Technology Lectureship in Optoelectronic Simulation - a post which the University has pledged to make permanent once the three years have elapsed. In return the centre will deliver sophisticated designs and modelling software based upon the University's extensive leading-edge research in the field of optoelectronic simulation, led by Professor Trevor Benson and Dr Phillip Sewell.

"Bookham Technology is committed to keeping strong ties within the academic community," said Andrew Rickman, Executive Chairman, Bookham Technology, speaking at an opening ceremony for the centre. "The UK has developed a formidable reputation in the field of optoelectronics, and Nottingham is a part of this. We believe that it is in the interests of both academia and business to collaborate in maintaining and extending that lead: this partnership is the first in a co-ordinated programme that will maximise Bookham Technology's part in that effort."

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