A QE record of five Year 12 Technology students have been awarded prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarships this year.
The five all successfully negotiated a gruelling selection process almost a year long to win the scholarships, which will provide them with financial and mentoring support throughout their A-level studies.
On a visit to QE’s Technology department, Arkwright local liaison officer John Coleman said: “The school has always shown an excellent standard of engineering students, with this year demonstrating a particularly talented cohort.”
The programme is run by the national STEM education charity, The Smallpeice Trust, and aims to inspire future leaders in engineering.
Nationally only a third of the 1,370 students who applied for a coveted Arkwright Engineering Scholarship were successful this year.
Scholars were selected for their potential as future engineering leaders by an assessment of their academic, practical and leadership skills in engineering disciplines.
These were gauged through a selection process comprising an assessed application form including: a teacher’s reference; a two-hour, problem-solving aptitude examination, and a university-based interview.
QE’s Deshraam Ganeshamoorthy, Devin Karia, Tanishq Mehta, Yai Sagolsem and Ukendar Vadivel each receive £600, which they can use to buy components and materials to complete their personal technical projects, or to purchase textbooks, or to fund their attendance on technical courses. They are pictured here receiving their certificates at a ceremony held at ceremonies held at the Institute of Engineering and Technology in London.
The School receives £400, which it must spend on equipment, materials or teacher training to enhance the delivery of STEM subjects.
The boys will also be allocated a mentor – typically a professional engineer – who can provide advice and guidance about future study and career development, and even technical advice to help with projects.
There will also be a variety of exclusive events run by partner companies, universities and trade associations that are designed to give participants an insight into aspects of different sectors of industry and academia.
Congratulating the boys on their success, Head of Technology Michael Noonan said: “All of the current scholars at QE either are, or have been, involved in technology clubs and competitions at the School.
“These have undoubtedly helped them to build a profile of engineering experience requisite for winning an Arkwright Scholarship.”
And Mr Noonan had some advice for younger boys inspired by the five’s success: “Whilst the application window has now closed for Year 11 students, boys in Years 9 and 10 may want to begin thinking about building up a profile of engineering experience, which could put them in line to receive a scholarship in the future.”
Each scholarship student is linked to an associated company or individual, as listed below:
• Deshraam Ganeshamoorthy: Arkwright Benefactor
• Devin Karia: ERA Foundation (a non-profit organisation supporting engineering skills development)
• Tanishq Mehta: RAF Charitable Trust
• Yai Sagolsem: Arkwright Benefactor
• Ukendar Vadivel: The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers
The School also currently has one Arkwright Scholar in Year 13, Dylan Vekaria.