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Students benefit from Women in Engineering scholarship boost

14/05/2021

Three University of Wolverhampton engineering students have been gifted a scholarship boost to support them in their studies. 

Two of the Women in Engineering Scholarships have been donated by FBC Manby Bowdler, local solicitors in Wolverhampton, with the third donated by an anonymous local donor which will go towards supporting and encouraging the students as part of the University’s commitment to promoting women in science and engineering. 

The students, who were nominated because of their excellent achievements in their exams, were presented with the scholarship money recently by Dr Syed Hasan, Head of the School of Engineering at the University’s Telford Innovation Campus. 

Rebecca Manton, 27, a third year Motorsport Engineering student from Shropshire and Laura Thompson, 25 from Telford, a first year Mechanical Engineering student were awarded £1,000 each by FBC Manby Bowdler. 

Rebecca said: “This is a great relief for me as I’m paying for my fees myself, it’s been quite a struggle over three years and this will be a great help towards that. I want to work as a strategy engineer in Formula 1 and then perhaps study for a Master’s degree. I’ve always been interested in Formula 1 and about five or six years ago, I started competing in hill climbing competitions as a hobby, so I wanted a career connected with something I have a real passion for.” 

Laura said: “It’s amazing to have been awarded this scholarship. I plan to use it on my studies. I’m part of the University of Wolverhampton Race Team, working on the Formula 3 car, so this will help with travel costs to get me to race days and it will also help towards any software costs or supplies that I might need. I’m looking at careers in aerospace, automotive or motorsports - the engineering sector really interests me.” 

Nisha Chahal, 25 from Wolverhampton and studying for an Aerospace Engineering degree in her first year, was awarded £1,000 from an anonymous local donor. She said: “I’m self- funding so the scholarship will go towards my tuition fees.  I gave up my career as a nurse because I’ve always had a passion for space so I’m following my dreams and finally doing something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m looking to get a job in the UK Space Agency and secure funding to study for a Master’s degree and then perhaps a PhD in the future.” 

Neil Lloyd, Managing Director at FBC Manby Bowdler, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with the University of Wolverhampton Race Team and the School of Engineering in Telford. 

“We offer these scholarships because we all understand the importance and benefits of having a diverse workforce and hopefully these scholarships will provide much needed support for the students.  

“The engineering sectors can provide excellent careers and this is our way of giving something back and saying thank you.” 

Dr Syed Hasan, Head of the School of Engineering, said: “The University of Wolverhampton is the University of Opportunity and we are committed to ensuring that we engage with women from all walks of life.  

“The Women in Engineering Scholarship programme is one of the ways we can offer assistance, with thanks to our strong business partnerships locally, to help women succeed with their engineering and career aspirations. 

“All three students will benefit massively from these wonderful donations by two donors who are committed to promoting STEM opportunities and careers for women.” 

Anyone interested in studying at the University of Wolverhampton, should register for one of the forthcoming Virtual Open Days. 

Picture caption from left to right: Laura Thompson, Dr Syed Hasan, Head of the School of Engineering, Rebecca Manton and Nisha Chahal.

ENDS 

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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