Projects address skills shortage in science sector

The UK is facing a skills shortage. A recent report by The Smallpiece Trust highlights that in the next six years 640,000 jobs in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics sectors (STEM) will be created or vacated across the UK. Although the number of STEM graduates is increasing year on year, it is still significantly lower than needed to meet industry requirements.

The University of Edinburgh has three important initiatives which are aimed at meeting this challenge:

Support King’s Buildings Library: The Final Phase

The new King’s Buildings Library unites the King’s Buildings Campus, providing a central learning hub for all Science and Engineering Students. It will offer a combination of informal, group and private study space that will enrich the student experience and encourage our students to work in ways which enhance their broader skill set.

The project will cost £8.75 million and we have £8.1 million of funding in place. We are currently seeking support from our graduates to complete our project and plan to recognise your support in perpetuity within the King’s Buildings Library. The Library is due to open in 2012. If you are interested in finding out about how you can support this project, please contact rachel.love@ed.ac.uk.

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Support SCI FUN: Encouraging Science and Technology in Schools

SCI Fun is a Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow, an imaginative blend of education and entertainment, which helps teachers to encourage young people to continue studying science and technology subjects past the age of 14 (S2 level). The Roadshow takes cutting-edge contemporary science out of the lab and into the classroom. It gives practical demonstrations on how science impacts out lives today, and on how it has the power to transform out future. We are currently seeking partners and sponsors who share our aims. For more information contact rachel.love@ed.ac.uk.

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Support Scholarships and Bursaries: Improving Access to Higher Education

The University of Edinburgh’s Scholarships and Bursaries programme is aimed at attracting the best and the brightest minds to the study of Science and Engineering, and at ensuring that financial hardship is never a barrier to study at the University of Edinburgh. We are anxious to ensure no student should have to turn down a place at The University of Edinburgh due to financial or personal circumstances.

In the last academic year alone, we were able to award 202 access bursaries across the University thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We also have one of the UK’s most comprehensive scholarships programmes. If you or your company are interested in finding out more about supporting Scholarships or Bursaries please contact David Nicholson or James Clayton-Jones.

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With your support we can help create a generation of skilled scientists and engineers, who have the knowledge and skills to solve the world’s most challenging problems.