Nine new scholarships offered to students studying for degrees within the Energy sector have been launched by the University of Aberdeen.
Supporting undergraduate and postgraduate students during their studies, the scholarships have been established with leading companies within the energy and oil and gas industries – The Swire Educational Trust, Technip, Canadian Natural Resources International (CNR) and Senergy Limited.
The recipients of the scholarships will liaise closely with their donating organisation to help develop their skills and knowledge of the industry, as well as receiving financial support towards their studies.
The scholarships being unveiled will help to foster high level study, leading to careers in challenging and rewarding industries and will be of benefit to both the academic and energy and oil and gas sectors.
Professor Albert Rodger, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences, welcomes the announcement and said: "Scholarships can be a vital lifeline offering the crucial financial support to enable students to concentrate on their studies and to enhance their study environment. Working with organisations to develop scholarship opportunities for our students is a key objective for the University of Aberdeen and we are delighted to add these very valuable new scholarships to our portfolio.
"Scholarships are hugely beneficial not only to the recipient but also to the donating company. They create the unique opportunity for an organisation to invest in an individual they see as having a huge amount of potential.
"In a sector experiencing skills shortages such as the oil and gas industry, scholarships are even more pertinent as they allow organisations to nurture the skills and knowledge of prospective future employees."
The new scholarships are:
- The James Henry Scott PhD Scholarship funded by The Swire Educational Trust
In addition to their longstanding support for The James Henry Scott and Granite Pearl MSc Scholarships in Environmental Science, The Swire Educational Trust will support a PhD Scholarship in Geology. This award will support a scholar from China or Hong Kong. The PhD project, supervised by the distinguished Kilgour Chair, Professor Peter Clift, will investigate climate change in the Pearl River Delta. The Swire Educational Trust supported scholarships are part of the Trust's commitment to contribute to the future, and to the communities in which they work.
- Technip
As part of its commitment to the subsea sector and to demonstrate support for the University, Technip will provide supporting fees and maintenance for a UK/EU student on the University's new Subsea Engineering MSc programme, which it considers to be one of the most comprehensive currently available in the UK. The sector is of central importance both to the economy of the United Kingdom and worldwide, and the region of Aberdeen City and Shire is home to businesses that play a significant role in this international sector. The University's programme has been tailored to provide the skills required by the sector. Strong industrial involvement from key corporate stakeholders such as Technip will ensure the continued relevance and popularity of these programmes.
- Canadian Natural Resources International (CNR)
In memory of former employees, CNR have established six undergraduate scholarship programmes with the University of Aberdeen. The scholarships are across the fields of Accountancy, Geology, Petroleum Geology and Petroleum Engineering. These scholarships are to be awarded for the duration of the scholar's degree programmes.
CNR believes that these scholarships are vital to address the shortage of staff within our Oil & Gas Industry and contribute to Aberdeen as a focus for academic excellence in the worldwide Energy sector.
In addition to support through scholarships, CNR will offer valuable work experience which providing students with the opportunity for development within an international company.
- Senergy Limited
The Senergy Limited Geology Scholarship will be awarded to one undergraduate entrance student studying Geology & Petroleum Geology in the School of Geology & Geosciences.
For organisations or individuals wishing to discuss the benefits of establishing a scholarship with the University of Aberdeen please contact Sharon O' Loan, Campaign Director, the University of Aberdeen Development Office on (01224) 274114 or href="mailto:s.oloan@abdn.ac.uk">s.oloan@abdn.ac.uk</a></p>