The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship scheme is now in its fifth year. The scholarships provide each winner with at least £1,000 per academic year and they also benefit from mentoring and work experience placements through the IET’s extensive networks, in an attempt to close the ever growing skills gap.

This year, 75 scholarships have been awarded to students who started either a Masters or an Undergraduate engineering degree at a UK based university in the autumn of 2017, including Robert Eves from our department.

Nick Winser, IET President commented: "In a world where technology is moving faster than ever before, I believe we need to think more broadly and remove unnecessary barriers that might be discouraging more young people from becoming engineers. In other words, we need to be more inclusive about inspiring and recruiting the next generation of engineers.

"With this in mind, we are really pleased to give financial help to the 75 young people as a result of our prestigious Diamond Jubilee scholarship. We hope that they will go on to become the leaders of tomorrow in an industry which offers a diverse range of exciting opportunities and challenges."

Claudio Paoloni, Head of the Engineering Department commented: "I am delighted that a talented engineering student at Lancaster has been awarded the prestigious Diamond Jubilee scholarship. I am very grateful to the IET for rewarding the passion of young students and encourage them toward a brilliant career in engineering."

The investment is being made in collaboration with the Belling Charitable Settlement, the ERA Foundation, The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Siemens, BAE Systems, BT and Thales.

The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programme is open to all UK students hoping to achieve three ‘A’ grade A Levels, three 'A' grade Advanced Highers, five 'A' grade Highers or an International Baccalaureate Diploma at 36 points or above and who are applying to join an IET accredited engineering or technology degree course.

Prospective students who are wishing to apply for a Diamond Jubilee Scholarship can apply online soon. See www.theiet.org/diamond.