Timber industry invests in higher education

Major figures in the UK timber industry have committed thousands of pounds to help students at Edinburgh Napier University through their degrees.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Finnforest UK and Forestry Commission Scotland have all agreed to support an undergraduate student enrolling in Edinburgh Napier University’s Civil and Timber Engineering Degree programme starting in 2010/11.

Both the undergraduate BSc Hons Civil and Timber Engineering, and the Masters degree in Timber Engineering offered at Edinburgh Napier University are unique to Higher Education in the UK.  Designed specifically to meet the needs of employers, the courses have an educational base that is sufficiently flexible to allow maximum career opportunities.

By sponsoring a Civil and Timber Engineering Student at Edinburgh Napier University, these companies are helping to encourage more high achievers to apply to Edinburgh Napier’s Civil and Timber Engineering degree programmes.

In addition to providing financial support of £3,000 over the duration of the student’s degree programme, the company sponsors provide opportunities for students to gain industry experience and knowledge by providing summer work placement opportunities, relevant part-time and paid holiday work.  They also interact with the students by providing a company mentor to assist with coursework and career development and planning, and providing practical examples in the workplace on which projects, assignments case-studies and dissertation might be based. 

Mr Alastair Stupart, Assistant Director of the Centre for Timber Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University said:
“At at time when budgets are tight in all sectors of the economy, these new student sponsorships are very welcome indeed. They offer important financial backing for those students with aspirations of following a career in the timber industry – giving them that added bit of space to pursue their studies whilst also gaining invaluable industry experience.”

A former Currie Community High School pupil has graduated in style from Edinburgh Napier University.

Grant Anderson (21) graduated on Friday 18 June with a BSc in Civil and Timber Engineering (2:1) and was also awarded a University Medal for receiving the top marks in his class, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from university.

Grant was supported throughout his studies at the University’s School of Engineering and the Built Environment by Stewart Milne Timber Systems, receiving sponsorship worth £3,000 from the Aberdeen-based construction firm over the four years of his course.

His next step will be to embark on an Advanced Structural Engineering masters course at Edinburgh Napier after which he will take up employment with Stewart Milne, which is also covering his postgraduate course fees and some of his living costs.

For more info on the School of Engineering and the Built Environment visit http://www.napier.ac.uk/sebe  
For more info on the Centre for Timber Engineering visit http://www.cte.napier.ac.uk/
For more info on the Strategic Integrated Research in Timber visit http://cte.napier.ac.uk/SIRT/