A student from University of Warwick School of Engineering, Nobeen Islam, has celebrated their success after receiving a Diamond Jubilee Scholarship from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). They are just one of a talented set of engineering students who have won the prestigious award.

The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship scheme is now in its fifth year. The scholarships will provide each winner with at least £1,000 per academic year. Winners will also benefit from mentoring and work experience placements through the IET's extensive networks, in an attempt to close the ever growing skills gap*.

This year, 75 scholarships have been awarded to students who started either a Masters or an Undergraduate engineering degree at a UK based university in the autumn of 2017, and 48% of these have been awarded to female candidates.

Nick Winser, IET President commented: "In a world where technology is moving faster than ever before, I believe we need to think more broadly and remove unnecessary barriers that might be discouraging more young people from becoming engineers. In other words, we need to be more inclusive about inspiring and recruiting the next generation of engineers.

"With this in mind, we are really pleased to give financial help to the 75 young people as a result of our prestigious Diamond Jubilee scholarship. We hope that they will go on to become the leaders of tomorrow in an industry which offers a diverse range of exciting opportunities and challenges."

Nobeen responded to the award, saying: "I feel really privileged to have been one of the under one hundred students to be selected for the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship. Most of all it just feels good to actually get some return on the hard work I've put in to my academics for once. I don't come from a well off background, don't come from the best area, and didn't come from the best schools. But I hope this scholarship will be an invaluable advantage to me for once in my life, that I'll be able to use to pave the path for a fulfilling engineering career in the future".

The investment is being made in collaboration with the Belling Charitable Settlement, the ERA Foundation, The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Siemens, BAE Systems, BT and Thales. The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programme is open to all UK students hoping to achieve 3 'A's at A Level, 3 'A' grade Advanced Highers, 5 'A' grade Highers or an International Baccalaureate Diploma at 36 points or above and who are applying to join an IET accredited engineering or technology degree course. Those who are selected receive at least £1,000 per year during their studies.

Prospective students who are wishing to apply for a Diamond Jubilee Scholarship can apply online soon. See www.theiet.org/diamond

*Engineering UK predicts 186,000 people with engineering skills will be needed annually through to 2024 in order to meet demand.