Shell scholarship delight for four engineering students

Four Fife College engineering students have been given a boost to their career prospects after they were awarded a scholarship by Shell UK.

HNC Mechanical Engineering students Norman Edwards and Reuben Beaton, and HNC Electrical Engineering students Kevin Blyth and Marcin Piechoki, have received scholarship awards of £1,000 each from the energy company.

Awarded through the Adam Smith Scholarships programme, part of Fife College, the Shell UK Scholarship recognises academic ability as well as commitment to studies with the aim of progressing in the oil and gas industry.

The scholarship awards, which have been offered by Shell since 2009, can be used by the students to purchase equipment and materials to support their studies and to progress onto another course or into employment within the sector.

Reuben Beaton, from Cupar, said:

“I felt very proud of myself that my work at college had impressed both Shell and my lecturers so much that I won this, it means a great deal to be awarded such a prestigious scholarship.

“The scholarship reaffirms my commitment to study now and for the next four years at university as I have just accepted an unconditional offer from the University of Edinburgh to study Mechanical Engineering.

“It will allow me to buy a printer for university as well as help hugely towards the costs of living away from home next year.”

The award will also benefit Reuban’s classmate on the Mechanical Engineering course, Norman Edwards.

Norman, from Kirkcaldy, said:

“I was really quite surprised to check my emails to see I’d won the scholarship and the £1,000 award. This will be a massive help as it will allow me to buy a new laptop as my current one needs replaced.”

Craig Burnett, Plant Manager at Shell UK's Fife NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) Plant, said:

“With our world being increasingly shaped by science and technology, ingenuity will be key to the UK’s economic success and is already playing a vital role in our transition to a low carbon economy.

“By making a link between real life and learning through engaging experiences we aim to nurture the next generation of problem-solvers, leaders and innovators and to grow the UK’s skills base and pipeline of scientists and engineers.

“Congratulations to our Adam Smith Scholarship winners this year – each were very much deserving of their award. I’m sure they will go on to enjoy exciting and fulfilling careers in the oil and gas sector in the future.”

Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Engagement Lead at Fife College, said:

“Norman, Reuben, Kevin and Marcin are all very deserving winners of this year’s Shell UK scholarship awards.

“Receiving these awards will provide a financial boost for them but having a global company like Shell on their CVs will also really help them stand out from the crowd when they take their next steps.

“Shell have been great supporters of our scholarship programme, as well as many other activities across the College, for well over a decade. We are grateful for their continued support which provides Fife College students with some fantastic opportunities.”

Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College, is one of the largest college scholarship programmes in Scotland, awarding thousands of pounds each year to support students, develop opportunities, open doors and transform lives.

For further details about scholarships at Fife College visit the Adam Smith Scholarships page or email [email protected].