Pupil engineers his success
Ashleigh Burns • Published 8 Oct 2012 09:30
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AN ALVA Academy student has secured a top engineering scholarship.
Andrew Dunbar has been awarded the much sought-after Arkwright Engineering Scholarship that identifies him as one of the country's future leaders in engineering and related areas of design.
The renowned scholarship provides him with a £600 financial award to enhance his Scottish Higher studies and a range of activities to enhance his understanding and experience of engineering - Alva Academy will also receive £400.
The scholarship is respected by leading universities and industrial companies and is supported by top engineering employers such as Rolls Royce, BT, BAE Systems, National Grid, Balfour Beatty, Microsoft Research, Thales, The Royal Air Force and The Royal Navy.
Andrew successfully completed a rigorous selection process consisting of a detailed application form, a two hour aptitude paper and an interview hosted at a top engineering university.
The aptitude paper tested his flair and originality in solving engineering design problems.
The interview was grilling and the fourth year pupil had to discuss an engineering project he had conducted.
During the interview day he took part in a team exercise to solve a hands-on engineering problem working with students he had never met before.
He and his parents also toured the engineering facilities at the host university and explored the diversity of engineering and design careers and their importance to the UK economy.
Clackmannanshire Council's Convener of Education, Councillor Ellen Forson, said, "It is an outstanding achievement by Andrew to have been awarded this highly prestigious scholarship, and I would like to offer my personal congratulations to him and wish him all the very best in his future studies and career."
The 15-year-old aims to stay on at school and eventually move on to Heriot Watt University to study engineering, with a view to becoming an aeronautical engineer.
He was one of only 138 students out of 1000 throughout the UK to be awarded an Arkwright Scholarship, and has become the eighth Alva Academy pupil since 2008.
It will be formally presented to Andrew at a ceremony hosted by The Institution of Engineering and Technology later in the year.
Dr Martin Thomas, National Director of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust said, "I am delighted to see Andrew from Alva Academy secure this prestigious accolade. Clearly, there is considerable technical talent in the Clackmannanshire area.
"With the competition for rewarding jobs becoming ever-more fierce, the receipt of an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship can help dynamic young people at the start of their journey to be the country's future leaders in engineering and related areas of design."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 10 Oct 12
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