Students
benefit from
Lord Forte
Foundation
Scholarships
S
IX STUDENTS FROM Queen
Margaret University (QMU),
Edinburgh, have each been
awarded a £2,500 scholarship to help
them excel in their penultimate year
of study and prepare for entering the
hospitality, tourism and events industry.
The students from QMU’s BA (Hons)
International Hospitality and Tourism
Management course will benefit from
the prestigious Lord Forte Foundation
Scholarship, which carries with it a £2,500
award to pay living expenses and other
costs to allow them to focus on achieving
academic excellence.
Richard Cooke, General Manager of The
Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, spoke to
the award winning and other students from
QMU’s BA (Hons) International Hospitality
and Tourism Management and BA (Hons)
26
Events Management programmes at a
reception at the University on Thursday 3
October, detailing his career path which led
him to roles at some of the world’s most
prestigious hotels in New Zealand, the USA
and Singapore.
As well as fielding questions from students
on a wide range of subjects which covered
environmental sustainability, the role of
general managers, and the international
market, Mr Cooke had some words of
wisdom for the final year students. “Find
your moral compass to steer you on the
right path,” he said. “You have the biggest
opportunity at your fingertips by working
in this industry, and I wish you all the very
best.”
The six recipients of this award in 2019/20
are as follows:
• Chandi Kumar Paudel (originally from
Dandagaun Rasuwa in Nepal)
• Ewa Jaworski (originally from Jelenia
Góra in Poland, now resident in
Edinburgh)
• Heather Linn Fyfe (from Dalkeith)
• Martina Soos (originally from Tata in
Hungary, now resident in Edinburgh)
• Roddy Lamont (from Banchory in
Aberdeenshire)
• Iona Ross (from Aberdeen)
Ewa said: “I am delighted to receive the
Lord Forte Scholarship. I am a direct entry
student who joined QMU last academic
year. I have to admit that university
matters are different compared to college.
There is much more self-study and
self-management. As a mother of two girls,
QMYOU
Supporting Student
Student Development
Development
QMYOU / / Supporting
Lily (5) and Hana (3), there are challenges in
juggling everyday life and academia. This
scholarship will give me extra time and a
clear mind to focus on my assignments and
dissertation project.
“Learning in another country - where
English is my second language and with
two young children at home - is not easy.
However, I have already done a lot and I will
continue to fight for a better life for me and
my family. This award will make a significant
difference to me.”
Roddy commented: “It was such a relief
finding out that I’d been awarded the
scholarship, it means that I’ll be able to
focus on my studies without worrying about
working to support myself, and the fact that
it comes from such an acclaimed hospitality
group is the icing on the cake!”
Dr Majella Sweeney, Head of Business,
Enterprise and Management at QMU,
said: “We are delighted that the Lord Forte
Foundation continues to work with us
to support the development of the next
generation of hospitality, tourism and events
professionals.
“We are especially grateful to Mr Cooke
for giving up his time to speak with our
students about his impressive career and
for his invaluable advice and insight into
the hospitality industry.
“These scholarships are proving to be
of significant benefit for our students. By
helping to alleviate the financial burden
associated with university study, a more
level playing field has been established to
help talented students - regardless of their
background - to achieve their goals.” ❒