THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has welcomed more than 200 students this term as part of a sustainability scholarship.
The new students have joined the cohort as part of the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship, one of the UK’s largest-ever sustainability-focused undergraduate scholarship programmes.
The £34 million scheme is aimed at creating a community of future global sustainability leaders, as throughout their undergraduate studies, each scholar will receive funding and development opportunities to drive positive environmental change in their chosen field.
It entitles those selected to £6,000 a year for up to four years of full-time study on their course for maintenance and living costs.
They will also receive opportunities to develop leadership skills relevant to climate issues, network-building, and careers support.
Those on the programme gathered at the Great Hall on last week, where they were greeted with speeches from Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort, Chancellor Paul Lindley, and Dr Jon Dewsbury, Director of Education Estates & Net Zero at the Department for Education.
Students who are not recipients of the scholarship can also receive free climate education as part of a new online course launched by the University of Reading ‘Advocating for a Better Planet.’
The course is designed to help students explore the issues they most care about and to identify one step they can take to make a difference.
Students will research and plan an action to address and advocate for a sustainable or climate-based challenge.
Speaking at the welcome event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “We must bring together knowledge, experience and understanding from across our broad range of disciplines.
“We need historians who understand how societies have adapted to change. Artists who can inspire others to see the world differently.
“Economists and social scientists who can develop workable policies that help communities to adapt.
“Psychologists who can help us understand and influence how people may adopt more sustainable behaviours.
“Computer scientists who can harness new technologies for good. And so much more besides.
“The scholarship you’ve earned is just the beginning. Over the coming years, you’ll develop competencies through a series of experiences designed to transform knowledge into action.”
Paul Lindley, Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “When we look at the sustainability challenges facing our world today–climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
“The scale can seem impossible, the timeline urgent, the stakes nothing less than the future of our planet.
“But standing here in our Great Hall with all of you today, I feel something else entirely: hope. Tonight, we’re not just welcoming new students, we’re welcoming those who have the potential to lead the way towards a more sustainable future for us all.”
More information about how the University of Reading is tackling climate change is available via: reading.ac.uk/planet
