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The two new institutes will drive research into the complex economic, legal, environmental, technological and cultural issues faced by the resources sector and provide a framework within which expertise from the northern and southern hemispheres can be shared and innovative responses developed.

Under the terms of the agreement, BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities, a charity established by BHP Billiton as part of its community investment program, will provide ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº with US$10 million over a five year period to establish the institutes and fund academic research, fellowships and scholarships, as well as the appointment of a new Chair in Sustainable Global Resources and a Chair in International Energy Policy.

Prof. Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº commented: "I am delighted by BHP Billiton's generous support for this exciting initiative, and look forward to a highly productive partnership."

BHP Billiton Group Executive and Chief Executive of Non-Ferrous, Dr Andrew Mackenzie, said the funding agreement reflected the Company's commitment to supporting education wherever it operates and added: "The two new institutes will spur new thinking into the complex issues created by the growing demand for commodities and provide a new forum in which industry and the research community can collaborate. I'm delighted we can work with ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and some of the brightest talents with a passion for the sector."

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Vice-Provosts Prof Michael Worton, Prof. David Price and Prof. Stephen Caddick acknowledged the importance of the initiative. "Our relationship with BHP Billiton will bring our students and researchers closer to the trends that are transforming energy and global natural resources management. With BHP Billiton's support, the creation of an Institute of Sustainable Resources at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº will create a focused research and training environment that will enable ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's experts to deliver the solutions needed to sustain future generations," said Professor Worton.

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Background on BHP Billiton and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

1. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:

2. ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº is a multi-faculty global university, currently ranked 4th in the world in the annual Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings and top of the most recent ranking of UK Research Council awards.

3. ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº has a widely acknowledged reputation as the UK's most progressive and innovative university and, as such, has many points of possible interaction with BHP Billiton. Founded in 1826, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº was England's first non-denominational university and currently attracts outstanding students from about 140 countries. It has acknowledged multi-disciplinary strengths and research capabilities in engineering and earth sciences, energy, built environment, law, nanotechnology and biomedicine.

4. In 2006, the Government of South Australia invited ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº to establish a campus in Australia. In 2008, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº signed an agreement, which led to the establishment of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº School of Energy and Resources (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº SERAus) in Adelaide.

5. At ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, the initiative will be led by Prof. Michael Worton, Vice-Provost (International), Prof. David Price, Vice-Provost (Research) and Prof. Stephen Caddick, Vice-Provost (Enterprise).