Statkraft scholarship continues to deliver for students in third year

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, is now supporting six students in their studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands, as the partnership enters its third year.

The first students supported by Statkraft, when the fund launched in 2023 were Merlin Farrell, who is studying Marine Science at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS UHI), and Lewis Maclean, studying Mechanical Engineering at UHI North, West and Hebrides. They were joined in 2024 by Egan Ibrahim, who is studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management at UHI Perth, and Nina Burnett, studying Marine Science at SAMS UHI in Oban. Recipients of the 2025-26 scholarships are Paul Downing-Smith and Christopher Kaan Caudwell.

Egan used the funding award for the purchase of a laptop, and to cover her rent in Perth, avoiding the need to make the six hour trip back home, so she could focus on her studies.

“University life can be challenging” Egan said, “and having to worry about one less thing has meant I can survive and thrive in my first year, changing not only my life, my family’s lives, but the lives of those around me as well.”

The scholarship fund allowed Nina to join a trip to the Red Sea with UHI, spending two weeks investigating the biodiversity of the local region, including fish and coral identification. “Snorkelling in the Red Sea was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that enhanced my learning greatly, as I could identify many species very clearly compared to if I were to snorkel in the UK”, Nina explained.

Merlin is planning to use his latest funding award to fund a semester at University Centre in Svalbard, which is in the Arctic Circle, and has also achieved his Royal Yachting Association Dayskipper qualification, allowing him to take charge of a yacht.

Lewis has been able to cover his transport costs to and from the UHI campus, as well as purchase the textbooks and other resources needed for design and analysis work.

As part of Statkraft’s commitment to support access to tertiary education in the Highlands, The Statkraft STEM Scholarship Fund provides £3,000 scholarships each year for students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses at UHI, with the goal of supporting promising students who might otherwise be unable to access tertiary education. 

The scholarships are managed by an independent panel at UHI and awarded to students enrolled in STEM courses between 2-4 years in duration. The scholarship fund is now providing support for six students at UHI, representing a minimum investment of £72,000 over the lifetime of the scheme.

Alison Hood, Statkraft’s Head of Engagement and Social Value said: “We are proud to provide this support to UHI students to help them build a strong foundation for their career. It has been a real pleasure to get to know Merlin, Lewis, Egan and Nina and see the great progress they’ve made since starting at UHI. We enjoyed hosting them at the All Energy conference in Glasgow to give them a first look at the wide range of roles in the energy sector.”