Future Leaders in Engineering
Future Leaders in Engineering Honoured
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, MLA, congratulated Northern Ireland’s eleven inaugural Arkwright Engineering Scholars at a celebration event today hosted by St Mary’s University College Belfast. The scholarships mark the recipients out as young people with the potential to be the truly great engineers of tomorrow.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are the most prestigious awards of their type in the UK and are designed to identify, inspire and nurture future leaders in engineering. The scholarships are awarded only after a rigorous selection process comprising an application form with teacher reference, an exam and an interview.
This is the first year that the scholarships have been available in Northern Ireland, and the rapid success of the scheme to find the best local talent has been as a result of the strong support offered to the scheme by St Mary’s University College Belfast and local sponsors such as the University of Ulster, the Belfast branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the commercial company Yelo.
Arkwright Scholars are supported over the two years of their A Levels with a financial award, mentoring, industry visits and access to free and discounted offers related to engineering careers. Limited numbers of the scholarships are awarded each year across the UK and Channel Islands.
Speaking at the launch today at St Mary’s University College, Minister Farry said: “Inspiring our young people to be enthused about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects is vital for Northern Ireland’s future success. For young people studying these subjects, there is a wide range of exciting career opportunities in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, food science and software development, to name but a few open to them. I commend the achievements of these eleven young people and look forward to seeing the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships thrive in Northern Ireland.”
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust plans a rapid expansion of the scheme in Northern Ireland in collaboration with St Mary’s University College. The Trust encourages schools to apply to join the scheme and companies to offer support to new scholars.
New scholar Jenna Loughran from Rathmore Grammar School said: “I am really excited by the opportunities of a career as a professional engineer, and my Arkwright Scholarship really will enhance my job prospects as well as give me the chance to network with the best future engineers from across the UK. The support of my sponsor, Yelo, is fantastic, and I am already looking forward to the work experience that they are offering.”
St Mary’s Principal, Professor Peter Finn, congratulated the eleven Arkwright Engineering Scholars and supported the Minister’s desire to see the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships thrive. He also spoke of the College’s new initiative in initial teacher education designed to improve the confidence and competence of children and young people in the integrated learning of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) in an educational context.
John Catterson from Abbey CBS Grammar, Newry, is congratulated on receiving his
Arkwright Engineering scholarship from Kieran McGeown, Senior Lecturer in Technology and Design,
at St Mary’s University College, Belfast.
Notes for Editors
1. About the Arkwright Scholarships Trust
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust is an independent charity that identifies, inspires and nurtures future leaders in engineering and related areas of design.
Arkwright tackles its aim by awarding Engineering Scholarships through rigorous selection to high-calibre students from all educational backgrounds from across the UK to support them through their A Levels and Scottish Highers.
Since 1991 Arkwright has awarded 3348 scholarships, growing year-on-year.
Arkwright also awards a small number of undergraduate scholarships each year, available exclusively to existing Arkwright A-Level Scholars.
2. For more information please contact Jayne Beddows, Head of Operations,
jbeddows@arkwright.org.uk, tel: 01926 333210, www.arkwright.org.uk