Pen y Dre pupils achieve great things in school and in their lives This is the story of former Head Boy David (Carwyn) Adler:

The Salters’ Institute offers up to ten prizes to final-year undergraduates studying at UK universities. Candidates are expected to obtain a First Class Honours Degree in either Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. The Department of Engineering Science is delighted to announce that David Adler (Oriel College, University of Oxford) has won the Salters’ Graduate Prize in Chemical Engineering.

David Adler (centre) is seen here with Professor Sir John Holman, Master of the Salters’ Company and on the right is HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan. This year Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bin El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, presented the Awards.

David Adler said: “I chose the chemical engineering route during my undergraduate studies as I always enjoyed chemistry at school and its application.”

David added: “My secondary school state education was vital to my development...I would have never achieved all that I have to date without the support of the fantastic teachers. The teachers always went the extra mile to provide and make sure we were subject to no disadvantage in our education.

I hope that my path will serve as some sort of example that with great teachers and hard work anyone no matter what background can achieve”.

David is working for BP in Aberdeen as a Reservoir Engineer on BP’s Upstream Challenge Programme. He said: “I believe that chemical engineering has an important part to play in the coming years and I
really do believe it has a key role in solving the world’s energy problems whether it’s through improving efficient use of current non-renewables or the development of alternative energy options.