A LAUNCESTON man is among 12 science and engineering undergraduates to be awarded a scholarship by the UK Naval Engineering, Science & Technology (UK NEST) forum.

Lawrence Dubey, who attends the University of West of England in Bristol, will receive the scholarship, worth £3,000 a year, as well as individual mentoring from UK NEST members.

The mentoring will include site visits, potential for work-placements during vacations and support for project work.

Lawrence’s scholarship is one of six that is to be funded through a grant to UK NEST by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

The scholarship scheme is now in its fourth year and the number of applicants trebled this year.

More than 10% of the applications were from female students and there was an increase in the number of undergraduates reading science.

The scholarship competition required students to submit essays on the impact of autonomous systems of future navies. A panel of experts, drawn from UK NEST, Lloyd’s Register Group Limited and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, judged the essays.

Final selection was made after short-listed students attended interviews during which they were required to discuss the role of autonomy.

The selection panel remarked on the high-calibre of all students and their excellent appreciation of the role of engineers. This was particularly noteworthy from those students who had spent time working with companies in the naval sector.

The students attended an award ceremony at a UK NEST Programme Board meeting at BAE Systems Maritime facilities in Barrow-in-Furness where they were presented with scholarship certificates.

The students participated in a lively debate about the pros and cons of the naval sector for employment and the cutting edge technology that will underpin future programmes. They also enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the shipyard facilities that are currently building Astute Class submarines.