Events Management student named recipient of international industry scholarship

A BU Events Management student has won a prestigious scholarship that will allow her to network with leading industry figures at a conference in Krakow, Poland.

Jade Woodall, a final year BA (Hons) Events Management student at BU, has been named as recipient of the 2014 Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Vanessa Cotton Scholarship.

She was chosen by a panel of industry judges to receive the scholarship, and has won an all-expenses paid trip to the MPI European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC) in Krakow, Poland, next February.

She will also be able to attend educational sessions and network with more than 200 event professionals and current MPI board members.

Jade said: “I am very excited to have won The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship and I am so grateful to MPI UK & I, Reed Travel Expo and ExCel London for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

“I am really looking forward to EMEC in Poland where I hope to continue with my professional development by making new contacts and building on my current experience and knowledge of the industry.”

Jade saw off stiff competition from a record number of entries to receive the scholarship, which recognises the brightest of the next generation of event professionals who show outstanding communication skills and a desire for personal development.

Jade was flown to Barcelona for the announcement of the scholarship at global meeting and events exhibition EIBTM 2014.

“My trip to Barcelona was a great experience,” added Jade. “I made some valuable contacts and got to meet the judges of the competition who said they really enjoyed reading my application.”

BU student receives BAFTA scholarship

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A budding animator has been able to realise her dream of studying at Bournemouth University after receiving a £7,500 scholarship from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Mawusime Blewuada, 29, will start her MA in 3D Computer Animation at BU at the end of the month after receiving the BAFTA grant towards her course fees.

The money has come from the BAFTA Scholarship Programme, which assists talented people in need of financial support to study a postgraduate course in film, television or games.

Mawusime is one of just ten students from across the UK to receive a BAFTA scholarship this year.

She said: “I was obviously very delighted to hear I had been chosen – I knew there was a lot of competition so I wasn’t certain I would get it.

“Receiving the scholarship meant I didn’t have to defer taking the course or take out an expensive loan to cover tuition fees.

“I can focus on studying without stressing too much about finance.”

Along with the money towards her course fees, Mawusime will receive mentoring support from BAFTA members and free access to BAFTA events around the UK.

The scholarship recipients will also share their learning experiences on BAFTA Guru, BAFTA’s online learning channel, and participate in future BAFTA outreach with young people.

Mawusime, from Thornton Heath in London, hopes to work in animated films and the visual effects industry after completing her Master’s degree.

She said: “I’ve chosen to study 3D Animation at BU because it has the reputation of being a challenging and comprehensive course that provides the teaching and resources I require. I’m really looking forward to collaborating on projects with other students from the National Centre for Computer Animation [based at Bournemouth University].

“In addition, the mentor support provided by BAFTA will be a great personal and professional advantage.”

Anne Morrison, Chair of BAFTA’s Learning and Events Committee, said: “This year’s scholarship recipients have great talents which, without the right support, were at risk of being lost from our industries.

“Through the BAFTA Scholarship Programme they now have access to funding, industry events and one-to-one mentoring, to help them make a tremendous contribution to our moving image industries.”