Statkraft scholarship enables student research trip to Egypt

A student from Oban, Scotland has praised Statkraft for providing a scholarship that has opened up a world of opportunities. Merlin Farrell, who is currently studying a Marine Science BSc at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) received financial support from the Statkraft STEM Scholarship Fund, in conjunction with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). 

As a result of his successful scholarship application, Merlin, who previously lived in Kinbrace, Sutherland, embarked on a scientific research trip to the Roots Red Sea camp in Egypt, 600 miles south of Cairo. There, he collaborated with fellow students and marine science researchers over 12 days.  

Merlin has said that the trip would not have been possible without the backing of Statkraft's scholarship and that he learned a “fantastic amount” there, both from the studies he did and the people there.  
 
“My goal is to complete my BSc by 2027, and I am now contemplating continuing the academic journey through a master’s programme, potentially exploring both marine science and renewable energy”, he added. 
 
The impact of the Statkraft scholarship has empowered Merlin to engage in internships and volunteering opportunities during semester breaks, immersing himself in valuable hands-on experiences within his chosen field. It has also enabled him to balance his finances and pursue extracurricular interests such as playing volleyball and volunteering with both the Oban RNLI and Coastguard Volunteering Service. 
 
As part of the scholarship award, Merlin has also spent time at Statkraft’s Scottish headquarters in Glasgow, where he had the chance to speak to members of the team working on a range of renewable projects and gain insights into potential career opportunities.  

The scholarship represents Statkraft delivering on its pledge to share the benefits of the projects in development, both in the Highlands and throughout Scotland, enabling students like Merlin to contribute their knowledge and expertise to understanding the environment more deeply. 
 
The Statkraft STEM Scholarship Fund is the first partnership between Statkraft and a UK university. Statkraft is providing two £3,000 scholarships each year for students studying STEM 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 will eventually provide support for six students at UHI at any one time, representing a minimum investment of £72,000.