These scholarships are awarded to ambitious and inspiring undergraduates in engineering who want to become leadership role models for the next generation.

The ELS awards undergraduates £5,000 to help boost their careers and achieve their personal development objectives.

Upon receiving the scholarship, Niroshan said: “When I found out I’d received the scholarship it was such welcome news, particularly during the second lockdown where I was primarily working from home for the last few months. I look forward to continue developing my skills and learning a bit more about myself.”

To help them reach their full potential, scholars also receive access to advice and support from senior engineers and networking and training events over three years, with the aim of helping recipients move into engineering leadership positions in the UK after graduation.

Niroshan plans to use the scholarship and the opportunities it provides for personal development, adding: “I will primarily use the scholarship to further develop my leadership and management skills. It also provides me with the opportunity to network with other like-minded people in their respective engineering fields.

“I am currently undertaking a course from the University of Cambridge on Business analytics and using data to make better decisions which will prove valuable if I want to be a leader in my respective field.”

As well as being a course representative for Chemical Engineering, Niroshan has completed an internship at ExxonMobil: “I think one thing this placement has helped me clarify is the fact that I want to do a job which involves me utilising my analytical, interpersonal and leadership skills.”

The ELS scheme reopens for applications from November to those who are interested. More information on eligibility for the scheme is available online here.