New scholarships will be available for students undertaking degrees in engineering and computing at the University of Aberdeen, thanks to the generosity of one of the north-east’s biggest oil service companies.
Aker Solutions - a global provider of engineering and construction services to the process and energy industries - has donated scholarships up to the value of £9K to the University, to support three undergraduate students over a five-year period.
Created in recognition of the need to foster new talent for the continuously developing sector, the Aker Solutions Subsea Specialist Scholarship Programme will provide recipients with financial support, industry mentoring from Aker Solutions staff, and the opportunity to gain vital work experience within the organisation's Aberdeen operations.
Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to undertake an industry-focused project in collaboration with the organisation, and will be invited to attend the Aker Solutions Graduate Assessment Centre, in their final year of study.
The scholarship is open to UK students in their third year of the following degree programmes:
- BSc Computing Science
- MEng Mechanical Engineering
- MEng Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- MEng Mechanical Engineering with Materials
- MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- MEng Electrical Engineering with Sustainable Energy
- MEng Electronic and Computing Engineering
- MEng Electronic Engineering with Oceanic instrumentation
- MEng Electronic Engineering with Communications
Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant's academic merit and personal attributes.
The first scholarship will be awarded next month with two further scholarships awarded in the academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11.
The deadline to apply for the first scholarship is 4March, 2009.
This is the first time Aker Solutions has established a scholarship programme with the University, which recognises the quality and relevance of the industry focussed programmes, teaching and research offered by the University's College of Physical Sciences, and the high calibre of skilled professionals graduating from the institution.
Welcoming the announcement Professor Albert Rodger, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences said: "The new Aker Solutions Subsea Specialist Scholarship Programme is a prime example of the University of Aberdeen's commitment to working with industry and creating strong links which hugely benefit our students and advance the development of new talent for the oil and gas industry.
"We are delighted to receive this strong support from Aker Solutions which enables the University to further develop its significant portfolio of scholarships.
"Scholarships provide students with valuable financial support towards their academic career, whilst also creating the opportunity for recipients to enhance their studies through potentially gaining crucial first hand industry experience.
"They are also of great benefit to the donating organisation, providing the unique opportunity to invest in an individual they believe to have the academic and personal skills which will be invaluable to them as an organisation both now and in the future."
Remi Birkeland, managing director of Aker Solutions' UK subsea business, said: "Fostering new talent is a big priority for us as the students of today will become the professionals who will shape and lead the industry of tomorrow.
"It's vital that we keep bringing bright, committed young people into the industry and we're delighted to be adding this programme to the range of activities we undertake to meet this key objective." .
For more information on the Aker Solutions Subsea Specialist Scholarship Programme visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/cops/funding/ or contact Jenny Styles, University of Aberdeen Development Trust on 01224 273597 or j.styles@abdn.ac.uk