LONDON, 7 July 2009 -- Seven UK undergraduates have joined the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders network, awarded in recognition of their academic excellence and future leadership potential. Since its introduction to the UK in 2004, 75 UK students have so far benefited from the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Programme.
The GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Programme is run in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE), a leading not-for-profit international education organisation. Each student is awarded £6,000 over two years as part of the programme. The award identifies low-income, first year students who have demonstrated academic excellence and financial need, and is designed to support them during the remainder of their studies.
More than a financial award, as Scholar-Leaders, the students participate in a three-day Leadership Development Programme, which provides intensive workshops to develop business skills such as leadership, communication and career planning. Senior GE managers host many of the sessions. The Scholar-Leaders also undertake community projects in their university locations. Another popular element of the programme is a work shadowing opportunity with a leader from one of GE's UK businesses.
Comments Luke Sheperd an Engineering student from the University of Sheffield on the news:
"By participating in this programme I hope to become a true leader, to have a better understanding about the community, enabling me to give back to it and prepare myself for my future career."The GE Foundation launched the scholarship in the UK to attract students to areas of study such as engineering and technology, and to contribute to opening up access to higher education to the whole community. This reflects the Government's policy to expand higher education participation, particularly amongst 18-30 year olds and those from lower income backgrounds.
"This scholarship identifies promising young scholars who have demonstrated their commitment to society and provides them with tools to develop their leadership potential. It eases their financial burden while studying, provides broad avenues for community involvement and gives them an insiders' view of GE, one of the world's most respected companies", said Wagaye Johannes, Assistant Director of Scholarships, Institute of International Education.
The successful students were selected from six universities: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield Universities, as well as University College London.
The students received their awards from Mark Elborne, President and CEO, GE UK and Ireland, along with congratulatory remarks by Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of STEMNET. Established in 1996, STEMNET's vision is to increase young people's choice and chances through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Mark Elborne commented, "Education projects have always been a priority for the GE Foundation because a good education helps people of all ages to broaden their horizons and fulfil their potential. This scholarship programme is a good example of the Foundation's global initiatives. Another important feature of the programme is that it encourages awardees to actively participate in the community, reflecting GE's own commitment to being a good corporate citizen."
Yvonne Baker said, " It is a great honor to meet these outstanding young leaders and to support the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Programme which makes valuable contributions to widening participation in higher education and to raising awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects."
GE FOUNDATION SCHOLAR-LEADERS 2009
Inderjit Kaur Cheema
University of Birmingham
Economics
Charlotte Mukungu
University of Bristol
Social Sciences and Law
Christopher Vingoe
University of Leeds
Engineering
Bolaji Elegbe
University of Manchester
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Dawn Elizabeth Hart
University of Manchester
Humanities
Jones Agyemang
University of Sheffield
Computer Science
Luke Shepherd
University of Sheffield
Engineering
Sara Cruz
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