Tees Valley student awarded inaugural scholarship by Materials Processing Institute
Press Release: Issued 13 September 2018
A Tees Valley student is on course for a promising career within science after receiving the Materials Processing Institute’s inaugural Millman Scholarship.
Ben Napier is the Institute’s first recipient of the undergraduate scholarship, which is awarded annually to a deserving candidate from the Tees Valley region, who is planning to study, or is already studying towards a materials or science related discipline.
Ben decided to take a year out of education after completing his A-Levels at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough and the Materials Processing Institute gave him the opportunity to gain industry experience working on a range on research projects. He is now looking forward to starting life at Durham University where he will be studying MEng Computer Science.
The Millman Scholarships are run by the Materials Processing Institute in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers. The scholarships have been established in recognition of Dr Stuart Millman, an internationally renowned industrial researcher, who retired from the Institute in 2018 having enjoyed a successful career across industrial research spanning more than 40 years.
Stuart is a past President of the Electric Steelmaker’s Guild and has sat on industry research committees for the European Commission Research Fund for Coal & Steel (RFCS). In 2011, he was awarded the Thomas Medal by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) for his steelmaking research, and is also a Fellow of IOM3.
The scholarship programme includes an annual bursary for the duration of the recipient’s degree, as well as a salaried summer placement at the Materials Processing Institute.
Ben said: “I am grateful to both the Materials Processing Institute and the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers for giving me this opportunity which will greatly support me through university and my career progression. I have put in a lot of hard work into my studies and I am proud to be the first person to receive a Millman Scholarship.
“I have enjoyed my time so far at the Institute and benefitted enormously. I am looking forward to returning on placement again, which I am sure will help as I seek a long-term future within industry.”
The Materials Processing Institute is a research and innovation centre serving organisations that work in advanced materials, low carbon energy and the circular economy. It is recognised as a leading industrial centre the upscaling and commercialisation of materials innovation, delivering research and innovation projects, consultancy, training and business support.
Chris McDonald, CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, said: “Stuart Millman enjoyed a very successful career and contributed a great deal to the Institute with his extensive industrial research background. The Millman Scholarship programme has been appropriately named after Stuart, in recognition of his contribution to our industry, as well as his continued commitment to educating and mentoring our scientists of the future.
“Ben is a deserving recipient of the first Millman Scholarship, as he displays the drive and determination to succeed in our industry. He has been a welcome addition to the Institute over the course of the last year, and I would like to wish him all the very best in his studies and promising career.”
Professor Bill Bonfield CBE FRS, Chairman of the Armourers & Brasiers’ Materials Science Committee, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Ben through our charitable partnership with the Materials Processing Institute. The combination of academic learning and industrial experience provided by the Millman Scholarship will provide an excellent foundation and reflects our long tradition of encouraging talented young scientists into rewarding and challenging careers. We wish him every success.”
For further information about the Stuart Millman Scholarships use the link below:
More about the Millman Scholarships
13 September 2018
