A Renfrewshire graduate selected for a prestigious ScottishPower Foundation scholarship programme aimed at creating the future generation of energy experts has formally received his award at an international royal ceremony.
The ScottishPower Foundation, the charitable arm of the energy provider, is supporting 27 British graduates at leading universities by funding their enrolment fees and living allowances so that they can concentrate on pursuing careers in the fields of energy and the environment.
Phillip Clarke, from Bridge of Weir, is studying a Masters degree in Economics of The Electrical Power Industry at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas in Madrid after winning one of the coveted scholarships.
He was among a group of 11 of the Brititsh scholarship winners who gathered at the headquarters of ScottishPower’s parent company Ibedrola in Madrid for an award ceremony also attended by fellow scholarship winners from Spain, the USA, Mexico and Brazil.
The scholars were presented their awards by Ibedrola’s chairman, Ignacio Galan, and Ramón Castresana Sanchez, director of the Iberdrola’s foundations committee, before they were received by King Felipe of Spain at a reception held at the Palacio de la Zarzuela.
Since its inception in 2010, the ScottishPower Foundation has invested more than £1.5 million supporting 80 students in postgraduate Masters degrees focussing on a range of specialisms from renewable and sustainable energy systems to clean combustion technologies, electric vehicles, and smart distribution networks.
This year, in recognition of an increase in demand for new technology roles within the industry, the programme has also incorporated degrees such as information & communication technology (ICT), cybersecurity and big data management.
The scholarships have been delivered at seven of the UK’s most prestigious institutions including Cambridge University, Imperial College London, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University, Strathclyde University, Liverpool University and the University of East Anglia. This year, for the first time two places for UK students have also been supported at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas in Madrid.
Ann McKechin, Trustee and Executive officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, who attended the event, said: “We are delighted to support this group of very bright young people who we hope will be future leaders in the energy sector and the ScottishPower Foundation is committed to helping the advancement of their education through practical support.
“The ceremony is suitable recognition of their achievement in winning a place against tough competition on the scholarship programme at some of the very best universities in the UK and Spain.
“However, we hope that their real achievements lie ahead when they start their working careers and can lead the way in creating a sustainable energy model in how we generate, transmit and consume energy in the 21st century, while minimising the environmental and climate impact.”
Phillip said: “It was an enormous honour to take part in the ceremony, in particular to get the opportunity to hear from not only the Chairman of Iberdrola but also the King of Spain. It was fascinating to hear the discussions between those two and some of the scholars regarding the numerous challenges and opportunities facing the energy sector.
“The work that the Scottish Power Foundation and the wider Iberdrola Foundation carry out is fantastic and being even a small part of that is enormous privilege.”