Steph Rook is pictured receiving her scholarship from Andy Dalziell at Fife College’s Dunfermline Campus. (Left to right) Shelia Boyd, Director of Care, Social Sciences and Education at Fife College, Steph Rook and Andy Dalziell.
A scholarship fund, donated by Andy Dalziell and awarded through the Adam Smith Foundation, has been awarded to Fife College student Steph Rook.
Steph, from Glenrothes, was presented with her award at the College’s Dunfermline Campus by Andy Dalziell this week.
Andy’s scholarship, open to those studying HNCs in Childcare, Healthcare or Social Care, aims to help students progress their studies to HND level by offering funds for resources as well as the opportunity to undertake a work placement.
Steph (36), who previously completed a Geography and Environmental Sciences degree at the University of Dundee, returned to higher education this year, enrolling in HNC Childcare Practice at the College’s Glenrothes Campus.
Steph said: “I am delighted to be awarded this scholarship from Andy. For me the most amazing part of the scholarship is the opportunity to be mentored and supported by someone like Andy. My hope is that the young people I work with in the future will get the benefit from the experiences I get through this scholarship."
Steph will start her HND later this year at the College’s Kirkcaldy campus. She then plans to go on to be a pupil support assistant and possibly undertake a postgraduate degree in teaching.
Andy Dalziell said: “Steph’s commitment to her profession and to her family, particularly her young son, absolutely shone through in both her application and her interview. She has a fantastic work ethic and has shown amazing ‘stickability’ already in her personal and professional journey. Steph is absolutely deserving of the scholarship and I look forward to supporting her as she takes the next steps in her journey."
Dr. Andy Dalziell and his company, Andy Dalziell Ltd, specialise in providing specific home-based intervention programmes for infants, children, adolescents, and adults who have learning and/or behavioural difficulties, developmental delay, or individuals who are under-achieving.
Andy is also one of the creators of Better Movers and Thinkers Limited (BMT) which is an innovative and novel approach to delivering quality Physical Education for students aged 3 to 18 years. The BMT programme has been rolled out across Scotland through the support and financial backing from Scottish Government. This is the second year he has offered a scholarship through the Adam Smith Foundation.
Gaynor Jamieson, Trust Fundraiser, said: “We are delighted to be working with Andy to award this scholarship to a student once again.
“We really couldn’t have found anyone more deserving for this year’s award - Steph’s application was not only the best for this scholarship but it was probably one of the best of the almost 800 we have received for all scholarships this year. She is thoroughly deserving of Andy’s scholarship.”
Supported by Fife College, The Adam Smith Foundation scholarship programme was created to support College students through to develop opportunities which help open doors and transform lives.
Through partnership with businesses, charitable trusts and individual donors, the Foundation has developed a Scholarship Programme which provides recognition, a financial award, and in some cases, work experience, internships and trips to support and encourage students to achieve their full potential.
For further details about the Adam Smith Foundation visit their page or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
