The Institution of Chemical Engineers has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers to offer students the chance to experience the industry on a global scale.

The scheme, which was also run last year, will be jointly funded by both institutions, and will give four British students the chance to spend a week in India in September, learning from professionals about the international importance of the industry. Later, in November, four Indian students will spend a week in Britain, again learning from professionals about the global nature of chemical engineering.

The placements will include industry site visits, attending a national chemical engineering conference and cultural excursions.

IChemE director of international development, Neil Atkinson says that the exchange programme will support the students professionally: “Today’s young chemical engineers need to understand the global nature of the process industries. Employers will want their new recruits to appreciate the challenges of working for diverse, multi-site companies and the eight students on this exchange programme will get a direct chance to experience this.”