A STUDENT is engineering a bright future after securing a rare and prestigious scholarship to support him through his degree at Cambridge University.
Cameron McCormack had already impressed assessors in the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, who identified him as one of the country’s most able future leaders in engineering while he was in the sixth form at Ripon Grammar School.
Now the 18-year-old, from Ripon, has confirmed his position as one of the country’s leading young engineers by being awarded one of just seven Arkwright Undergraduate Scholarships.
Cameron achieved four A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics in his A levels this summer and will read chemical engineering at King’s College, Cambridge.
The scholarship is valued at £12,000 over the duration of his course, or £3,000 per year for four years.
Cameron, whose parents Alan and Christine are both vets, had to do a design test and attend an interview at the University of Sheffield to secure the sixth form scholarship. He then had to pass a further detailed interview with representatives from academia and industry for the Undergraduate Scholarship.
“It will be a massive help financially, and will be great for my CV,” he said.
“The scholarship I got in the sixth form was a big advantage in securing work experience with Process Combustion in Harrogate and it also funded an engineering course I did between the lower and upper sixth.”
Cameron was told about the scholarships by teachers at Ripon Grammar, which has an engineering specialism and where previous students have secured the sixth form scholarship.
He added: “I can’t wait to get to Cambridge now and start the course. Career wise I’m considering the pharmaceutical or energy industry; I think both will offer some amazing opportunities.”
Dr Martin Thomas, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, said: “Securing an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship during his sixth form years put Cameron in the top echelon of the UK’s most able future leaders in engineering.
“To have now won one of just seven Arkwright Undergraduate Scholarships being awarded nationally in 2013 is a very significant accolade, both for Cameron and for Ripon Grammar School.”
The scholarship is sponsored by The Reece Foundation, a charitable foundation founded in 2007 by the late Dr Alan Reece, a North East-based entrepreneur, pioneering engineer and champion of manufacturing.
