The London Array University Bursary for the academic year 2011/2012 has been awarded to Thomas Gray from Rodmarsham.
Thomas attended Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne and has taken up a place at Surrey University to study Electronic Engineering.
Richard Rigg, London Array’s Project Director, said, “As part of the selection process Thomas presented a school project and presentation, displaying a model for a hydroponic system. Although a specialist project Thomas established the linkage to sustainability through the use of electronics to improve the efficiency of solar and wind energy.
“The bursary scheme is playing an important role in supporting local students throughout university, as well as hopefully helping to attract well qualified and high quality recruits into the industry.”
Thomas said, “I’m enjoying university life and getting stuck into my course. The university bursary is helping to cover my tuition fees and allows me to concentrate on my studies. I hope to gain the skills needed for a career in electronic engineering, with a focus on improving the systems to solar and wind energy and food production.”
The Bursary will be awarded every year for ten years and will help pay three years of tuition fees for a local student studying science, engineering or sustainable development. The 2011/12 Bursary is the second of the ten years. The very first bursary student was Benjamin Wigmore from Graveney, who started a Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Southampton in October 2010.
The university bursary scheme forms part of a wider community benefits package, totalling some £850,000, established for the parish of Graveney with Goodnestone where a new onshore substation is being built at Cleve Hill.
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Offshore WIND staff, November 16, 2011; Image: dong energy