Three Fareham College students will be embarking on their journeys to engineering success after gaining places at brand new The Engineering Design Institute, TEDI-London to study Global Design Engineering. TEDI‑London is a new higher education provider for future engineers, founded by Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW Sydney.
Students Stuart Tucker, Kara Streader and Connor Clark all studied Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at Fareham College’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) and decided to apply to study at TEDI-London as it is a university which focuses solely on engineering.
The rigorous application process involved the students in completing a project focused on tackling issues associated with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and social isolation and loneliness in just one week and presenting this during their university interview. All three students passed their interview with flying colours and as a result, each were awarded the Assessment Centre Performance Scholarship for their outstanding performance during their university interviews. This means that for each year of the four-year course, they will receive £2,250 providing they continue to achieve and produce good work.
The three students did not know that they had each secured a scholarship, until they were informed while in class at Fareham College. Connor said, “I didn’t know what it was at first! I totally didn’t expect it and I was absolutely speechless when I realised what it was.” Kara commented, “I was so excited when I heard that I had also received a scholarship, I couldn’t wait to tell my family. Stuart added, “I didn’t find out until about an hour after Kara and Connor, but when I did was I relieved and really happy.”
Director of CEMAST, CETC and Construction, David Richardson said, “We are immensely proud of Connor, Kara and Stuart in not only gaining places at this prestigious new university in London, but also for each being awarded a scholarship for how well they performed during their assessment centre. We are delighted that the excellent teaching and facilities we have at CEMAST were able to provide them with a solid foundation from which to progress onto university. Huge congratulations to each of them and we wish them well with their studies.”
Dean and CEO at TEDI-London, Judy Raper, said, ““I’d like to congratulate Kara, Stuart and Connor for their bursary awards to TEDI-London in September. We will be delighted to welcome them as part of the first cohort to our pioneering engineering program. At TEDI-London we will attract and empower a diverse cohort of capable students and give them the skills to solve complex contemporary challenges through a flexible, project-based learning program. Diversity is central to our values and so we have developed a rigorous selection process through our Assessment Centre. Rather than evaluating academic results, our Assessment Centre activities test our three “A’s” – Ability, Aptitude and Attitude through a series of carefully designed challenges.
All three students sailed through our Assessment Centre tasks with flying colours. The panels commented that they had really tackled the project as we would like TEDI-London students to – they were very motivated, passionate about engineering, had interesting project ideas which they presented clearly and all spoke with enthusiasm about team work. We were very impressed, Fareham clearly prepares the students very well and all of our applicants clearly enjoyed studying there. We will be delighted to welcome Kara, Stuart and Connor is September and look forward to their contribution, not only in their own learnings but also in helping us to shape and develop our transformative provision.”
Fareham College is still accepting applications for full time, part-time and higher education courses for this academic year across all of its campuses; Bishopsfield Road in Fareham; Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) and Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) both in Lee-on-the-Solent and is holding an open event on Wednesday 6 October from 5pm to 8pm.