Ford has invited all 100 of its Centenary Blue Oval Scholars to the Dunton Technical Centre in Essex, to engage with their mentors and to experience the latest automotive technologies.
The Blue Oval Centenary Scholarship programme was announced in May 2011 to encourage a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators, and to mark 100 years of Ford’s operations in Britain. Through 12 leading universities across the UK, 100 undergraduate students on a selection of engineering, science, manufacturing and technology courses, were awarded scholarships worth a total of £1 million over a three-year period.
As the end of the Blue Oval scholars’ first academic year approaches, they, along with university staff, were able to visit Dunton’s advanced research and engineering centre in Essex, which includes a state-of-the-art environmental test facility.
The students also met with Ford engineers and technical staff to gain an in-depth understanding of product development, as well as an insight into working at a multi-national blue-chip company. In addition, students experienced the all-new Ford Fiesta ST around Dunton’s vehicle test track.
Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, and Graham Hoare, global director, vehicle evaluation were both on hand to welcome the scholars and university staff to Dunton.
Mark Ovenden said: “I am delighted to welcome our Blue Oval students to Dunton. Ford is encouraging students through the scholarship programme to engage in courses which deliver the highest quality science and technology skills that are fundamental to our future industrial base in the UK. It is just one of the ways Ford hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.”
