2 months, 3 weeks ago

Here East announces 2024 Scholars

We are delighted to welcome three new students to the Here East Scholarship Programme. Now in its fourth year of developing the next generation of talent in East London, this programme awards prospective students from our surrounding growth boroughs with full scholarships to study at the world-class universities based at Here East.

As our fourth cohort of scholars – Saraya-jhyvre Beckford-Pierre, James Prosowics, and Olivia Leonida – embark on their undergraduate degree courses, we’re proud to support this exciting next step in their education and career paths.

Providing full undergraduate tuition fees and supporting loan supplements, the programme is open to prospective local students from our four surrounding growth boroughs: Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest.

Our newest scholars – hailing from Tower Hamlets and Hackney – will be studying at University of Staffordshire London and Teesside University London, taking courses in computer science, game design, and animation. In parallel to their studies, our scholars will also have access to mentoring, networking, and work experience opportunities with the businesses on our campus.

We started the Here East Scholarship Programme in 2021 to help dismantle barriers local young people face in attending university – opening pathways to access higher education. Fast forward four years, and we recently had the privilege of seeing some of our first scholars graduate from University of Staffordshire London.

This moment exemplified what the Here East Scholarship Programme means to our community: It’s about unlocking the full potential of the next generation of innovators in East London.

What does the programme mean to our newest scholars?

Saraya-Jhyvre highlighted the bigger picture of what this opportunity represents:

“This scholarship is going to help me to excel in an industry where women are not commonly in the room. I’m excited for all the doors this scholarship will open for me, and I’m determined to begin networking and meeting people in my field, learning all the tools to guarantee success for myself. I’m so eager to begin this journey, and thanks to this scholarship, I feel like I can take on anything.”

James explained why this opportunity is important in terms of family and future career:

“I want to make my mum proud as I will be the only one in my family to attend university. I will also be happy to prove all those wrong who told me I would not achieve anything due to being autistic. Achieving a degree and my goal will be a great boost to my confidence and allow me to do even better in life. I feel Teesside University London is the ideal university for me as it has the course I want to succeed in career-wise. I am an avid gamer who has designed and created games at college and spends lots of time researching how to get into the gaming industry.”

Olivia underscored the barriers this scholarship will help to break down:

“I’m incredibly grateful for this scholarship. Being a woman wanting to pursue a career in a male-dominated industry already places obstacles that I will need to encounter along the way. From a young age, I have been aware that I will need to go beyond 100% to prove my capabilities to progress within the IT industry. I am determined to become a successful pen-tester and be a role model to young girls.”

A very warm welcome to Saraya-Jhyvre, James, and Olivia – we’re excited for you to join our campus and take these exciting steps as part of our community.