Two Aberdeen students are celebrating after securing a share of a £140K scholarship.
Aparna Anilkumar of the University of Aberdeen, and Russell Hogg of Robert Gordon University, are among five candidates from universities in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen to be chosen to receive a scholarship from Pöyry, the global engineering consultancy.
Aparna is in the third year of a Chemical Engineering degree while Russell is in the third year of a Management with Economics degree.
Pöyry, which employs more than 60 people in Aberdeen, launched its inaugural scholarship scheme earlier this year and has been working with university chiefs to select students to receive financial support.
It will also provide assistance to two final year HND students at Banff and Buchan College, in Fraserburgh.
The programme is one of the most far reaching of its kind seen in Scotland and involves the University of Aberdeen, the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University and Banff and Buchan College.
More than 35 third year undergraduates and final year HND students will receive support of between £500 and £6,000 during their studies, until the last scholarship students graduate in 2016.
University of Aberdeen student, Aparna Anilkumar, 20, said: “I am delighted to receive the Pöyry Engineering Scholarship. I am originally from India and chose to attend the University of Aberdeen to complete my five year MEng in Chemical Engineering. The scholarship has provided me with a massive boost to my academic career and crucial financial support towards my studies.”
Michail Tzouvelekis, Stakeholder Relationship Manager at Pöyry said: “We are committed to finding ways of supporting and encouraging Scotland’s young talent while also highlighting the fantastic career opportunities that exist within the country’s energy sector. We have been very impressed throughout the selection process by the high calibre of applicants and look forward working with the successful students to support them throughout the remainder of their courses.”
Pöyry is providing two scholarship packages - The Pöyry Engineering Scholarship is open to third year students and will be awarded to: University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and University of Strathclyde. Students will receive £2,000 each year until they graduate. The Fiona Fuller Business Scholarship will be presented to students at Robert Gordon University. They will be awarded £1,000 in their third year and £2,000 in their final year. Full time, second year students at Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh will also be eligible to apply for £500 of support under the business scholarship.
The business scholarship has been named after former Pöyry employee, Fiona Fuller, who passed away suddenly last year. She had joined IGL Engineering, now Pöyry, as administration manager 1993 after graduating from Robert Gordon University and went on to be promoted to the board of directors in 2003.
The scholarship scheme is the cornerstone of Pöyry’s commitment to supporting and developing young talent. The firm currently sponsors local skier Jan Michael Kochalski who is part of the British alpine downhill ski team and has previously provided support to students from Robert Gordon University as well as a local amateur swimming club.
Pöyry, which headquartered in Finland, is active in five industry sectors: Energy, Forest Industry, Transportation, Water & Environment and Construction Services. Its oil and gas offering boasts a 500 strong team of multi-discipline engineering consultants who work with operators and national oil companies.