From education to employment

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR MILLENNIUM POINT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Laura Avis, winner in 2019

With many young people struggling with uncertainty over grades and their future – and whether that includes university – @MillenniumPoint has taken the decision to extend the deadline for its @MyBCU scholarship, to give students more thinking time. 

 

The deadline for Millennium Point Trust’s life-changing fully funded undergraduate scholarship at Birmingham City University (BCU) has been extended to 28th February 2021.

Each year, the Millennium Point Charitable Trust fully funds an undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, which covers over 20 different courses across computing, digital technology, engineering and the built environment. 

Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, commented:

“Young people in education are among those most impacted over the past 12 months by the pandemic, causing uncertainty and anxiety over final grades and their future. This has caused a dramatic increase in young people taking time to carefully consider their futures. After listening closely to the anxieties of young people and feedback from schools and colleges across the region, we have taken the decision to extend the deadline for applications.”

Sagal Qodah, who won the scholarship in 2017, said: “ I realised the only way I could develop as an individual was to step outside my comfort zone, and applying for the scholarship was the best option to kick start my career. 

“Winning the scholarship has given me the confidence to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity, and as a result I am working in a field that I am passionate about. I would definitely advise you to apply for the scholarship if you are thinking of studying a STEM degree at BCU!”

Now in its seventh year, the Millennium Point Trust Scholarship has already funded six young people from the region through their degrees at Birmingham City University.

The scholarship is the flagship initiative from the Millennium Point Charitable Trust, and is fully funded by the charity, which in 2020 has invested more than £560,000 in STEM-related organisations, projects and initiatives, based in the West Midlands. 

The competition is open to applicants aged 17 and over within the West Midlands Combined Authority, who are looking to start a qualifying degree in September 2021. To apply, they need to download and complete the quick and easy application form by Sunday 28th February 2021 and send to [email protected].

Five applicants will be invited to a final assessment day in April 2021, when they also receive skills development, mentorship and potential links to relevant industries. A winner will then be chosen from the shortlist.


The @MillenniumPoint Charitable Trust announced (30 Dec) contributions of more than £25m over the past six years to science, technology, engineering and maths (#STEM) across the West Midlands 

All of the commercial activity that takes place in the landmark building and multi-award-winning conference and events venue feeds back into the charity. The charity then donate and invest in STEM-related organisations, projects and initiatives that benefit Birmingham and the wider region.

Despite a year rocked by Covid-19, the trust has amassed multi-million donations in continued support for the region’s STEM sector; this has included funding more than 40 projects in the form of small grants to fund STEM-related projects in the region; working with Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment to offer a free undergraduate degree through the Millennium Point Scholarship, now in its seventh year; an annual donation to ThinkTank Science Museum and rent reductions for STEM tenants

Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point said:

“This year has highlighted the significant role STEM plays in the world today, from medical breakthroughs to technology that keeps us all connected. We’re immensely proud of the quality and breadth of STEM-related projects that the Millennium Point Charitable Trust has been able to support. The Trust has made a significant difference in the region and, particularly with projects such as our scholarship, it’s encouraging to see young people taking a real interest in STEM as a future career.”

Opened in 2001, Millennium Point is the largest landmark millennium project in England, outside of London. Inside, it is home to unique event spaces including a 350-capacity auditorium, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and offices, and tenants, including ThinkTank and Birmingham City University (BCU).

All of the commercial activity that takes place in the Millennium Point building feeds back into the Millennium Point Charitable Trust, enabling the charity to donate, invest and facilitate more than £4.8m to STEM related organisations, projects and initiatives in the West Midlands, during 2018. Situated opposite the new HS2 Curzon Street Station, Millennium Point and the Millennium Point Trust champion and facilitate meetings and partnerships between businesses, educators and the next generation of STEM leaders across the region.


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