Fifteen students from University of Warwick have celebrated their success at the Diamond Jubilee Scholarships Ceremony in London. They are just a few of the elite set of engineering students who have been awarded a Diamond Jubilee Scholarship by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The Diamond Jubilee Scholarships have been handed out to students who achieved at least 3 ‘As’ in their A-Levels or Advanced Highers and have accepted a place on an IET accredited engineering or technology degree course this autumn.

The Scholarships represent a £2 million investment being made in the UK’s up and coming engineering talent and have been awarded to 530 of the UK’s top students from 382 schools starting an engineering degree at 27 UK-based universities this autumn.

This contribution to students is further evidence of the IET’s ongoing commitment to minimising the skills gap by encouraging the brightest and best students to study IET accredited courses, which will put them on a path that is not only challenging and rewarding, but is also vital to the UK economy.

Barry Brooks, President of the IET comments: “With demand for more than two million engineers over the next few decades, it has never been more important to encourage young people to study engineering so that they are able to follow rewarding careers and, ultimately, protect the UK’s economic prosperity.

“This is the first year we’ve run this programme and we really hope that as more people hear about the scholarship, more will be encouraged to think about studying engineering. Engineering is a varied, exciting and interesting career choice.”

The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programme was open to all UK students who achieved 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 have been accepted to join an IET accredited engineering or technology degree course this year. Qualifying for the Scholarship entitles those that applied and met the criteria to £1,000 per year during their studies, up to a maximum of £3000 for Bachelors students and £4000 for MEng students.

The IET received 1,144 applications of which 530 were successful in meeting the criteria. Interestingly, 19% of the successful applicants were female. The 2013 winners are the first cohort who, it is hoped, will go on to become mentors to the 2014 Diamond Scholars as this will be an annual award.

 

 -ENDS-

 

For more information please contact: Claire Thomas (iet@kindredagency.com/0207010 0800).

 

Alternatively, contact Robert Beahan (rbeahan@theiet.org/(0)1438 767336).

 

More about the IET

§ Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespeople from a broad range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and women in engineering.

§ The IET is one of the world’s largest organisations for engineers and technicians. We have nearly 160,000 members in 127 countries around the world.

§ The IET is working to engineer a better world. We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society.

§ The IET is the Professional Home for Life® for engineers and technicians, and a trusted source of engineering intelligence and thought leadership.

§ For more information, visit www.theiet.org

 

More about the IET Inspiring Engineering Excellence Awards Series

§ The IET Inspiring Engineering Excellence Awards Series includes awards for individual excellence, research and innovation, scholarships, travel awards, prizes and competitions.

§ In 2013, the IET provided over £1million in awards, prizes and scholarships, to celebrate excellence and research in the sector and encourage the next generation of engineers and technicians.

§ For more information visit www.theiet.org/awards