AN ENGINEER based in Aberdeen is one of the first recipients of a new scholarship awarded by industry body Subsea UK.
Yasaman Zirakzadeh, a senior electronic engineer at Aker Solutions, is one of two subsea engineers to have been recognised with grants.
Darren Brown, a development engineer for First Subsea in Lancaster, will also be supported through his studies.
This is the first year Subsea UK has awarded the scholarship prize in an effort to increase the number of highly skilled and qualified subsea engineers in the industry.
The annual award will enable the two successful candidates to study towards a postgraduate MSc in subsea engineering and management.
Subsea UK chief executive Neil Gordon said: “These scholarships are part of our drive to address the challenges of developing a new pipeline of young engineers coming into the industry.
“There are some pinch points in terms of skills looming and, if the UK is to remain at the forefront in subsea around the world, we must promote and drive forward other initiatives to create a new pool of future talent.
“We launched this scholarship initiative to give talented, professional and determined young engineers a helping hand towards a bright engineering future in subsea and are delighted to award the first of these annual grants.”
Mrs Zirakzadeh said she was grateful to be given such a “terrific opportunity”.
The 29-year-old, who lives and will study in Aberdeen, said: “I am really pleased to be granted this scholarship, it is a major boost to my career development in subsea. I will be studying for my MSc while working full time and am really looking forward to it.”
Mrs Zirakzadeh will get £3,500 a year for the two-year part-time course, the same as Mr Brown.
The postgraduate masters scholarship supports students by financing up to 80% of the total annual costs – a maximum of £7,500 for a full-time course and £3,500 for a part-time course.