Industry scholarship programme produces first MSc timber engineers

The scholarship initiative was launched by the University's engineering department two years ago to help tackle the UK's lack of timber engineering expertise.

So far more than a dozen timber businesses have supported the programme, each paying a minimum of £3,750 to fund a student through the year-long course.

"This project is gaining momentum as more companies and organisations join," said chair of the University's Forest Products Research Institute's advisory board, Geoff Rhodes, who has helped drive industry fund-raising. "The aim is to train engineers to appreciate the benefits of timber and understand that construction is not all about concrete, steel and glass."

One of the first scholarships, supported by James Latham plc, went to 28-year-old John Kalaitzis from Athens.

"Not only did the incredible features and capabilities of timber surprise me," he said. "I realised how multi-dimensional it is as a material."

Another MSc student was Robert Reid who was sponsored by Arnold Laver.

All the scholarship providers are encouraged to engage with students and Mr Reid said this proved valuable.

"Arnold Laver has been very supportive, providing advice and opportunities to visit its sites," he said.

The third student, Apolline Oswald, was sponsored by Oregon Timber Frame.

The fact that just three students took the MSc this year was attributed to the fact that it was announced relatively late in the academic year. This year there are more applicants and Mr Rhodes said the University was hoping for a full contingent of a dozen or more.

Ian Smith, head of the Edinburgh Napier's School of Engineering and the Built Environment, said the scholarship programme was already proving "extremely valuable".

"Scholars have developed a better understanding of the timber proposition, and civil and structural engineering graduates are now applying to the MSc course from across the UK."