Leeds Beckett students awarded Bright Futures scholarships

Aspiring sports scientists, an HIV researcher and a future speech and language therapist are amongst the first-year students to receive the scholarship to help support their studies. 

The funding offers financial support to students who might otherwise be unable to afford a university education. The scholarships are awarded to students who are the first in their family to go to university and are based on academic merit, with funding for the scheme provided by Leeds Beckett graduates. 

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies student, Hamidha Akther, who is 18 and from Harehills, is one of the scholars. She said: “I feel very fortunate, proud and humbled for being awarded this scholarship. It will have a great impact on my studies as for a student like me the daily cost of transport and resources such as a laptop create a burden on my father. This will enable me to be more independent and achieve the best in my studies. I would like to say a massive thank you to the alumni and all the members who contributed towards this scholarship. It a good deed they’re doing for students and I hope this wonderful deed is carried on for more students in the future.” 

Nineteen-year-old BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences student, Lauren Hardaker from Liverpool, said: “Receiving this scholarship relieves some of the pressures of finding a part-time job next year, leaving me more time to study and revise, increasing my chances of achieving higher grades next year. Hopefully I can achieve my goal of working in HIV research. I would like to thank the alumni donors with up-most gratitude for their kindness and for investing in my future.” 

Paul Garratt, 21-year-old BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student from Leicester, added: “I've never owned a laptop and so revision at home has been minimal. It will really mean more time to spend revising and moulding myself for the future. I cannot thank the donors enough, I am very grateful.” 

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, commented: “The Bright Futures Scholarships help students from less advantaged backgrounds fulfil their potential. I want to thank our donors for the life-changing opportunities they have created through their generosity; and to wish our Bright Futures scholars every success in their time with us here at Leeds Beckett University.” 

This year, Bright Futures Scholarships have been awarded to BA (Hons) Sport Business Management student Nathan Wright, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science students Paul Garratt and Ryan Josephs, BA (Hons) Childhood Studies student Hamidha Akther, BSc (Hons) Psychology student Robyn Sjoerdsma, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences student Lauren Hardaker, BEng (Hons) Food Engineering student Hannah Robinson, BA (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy student Annabelle John, and BSc (Hons) Criminology student Flah Mehtab.

Photo l-r: Hamidha Akther, Hannah Robinson, Annabelle John, Nathan Wright, Lauren Hardaker, Robyn Sjoerdsma, Flah Mehtab, Paul Garratt