OREANDA-NEWS. Tata Global Beverages (TGB) has underlined its commitment to encouraging fair access to education by partnering with Brunel University to offer the 2013 TGB Re-Imagination Scholarships for the second year running.

The scholarships include a Ј15,000 investment in support grants ranging from Ј3,000 to Ј1,500 awarded to eight students studying at Brunel University who have taken part in its Urban Scholars Programme. The donation follows TGB signing up in 2012 to the Social Mobility Business Compact, the deputy prime minister’s flagship scheme which encourages businesses to help improve skills and create jobs by providing opportunities for all young people to get a foot on the ladder.

Urban Scholars Programme is an intervention scheme providing opportunities for students to enhance their academic performance, self-confidence, critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills. It has a strong track record in 'surfacing bubbles of submerged talent’ by raising the aspirations of young people, many of whom have faced challenging circumstances in their lives.

Students on the Urban Scholars Programme, all aged 12-18 and from inner London schools, were invited to write short essays on the topic – My Magical Beverage Moment. The topic was inspired by TGB’s belief that beverages are part of our everyday life as much as they inspire moments of magic, from a time to reflect, to sharing, inspiration and laughter, and moments which take us away from the ordinary.

Entries presented a global, multi-cultural view of how beverages touch our lives. Themes ranged from the importance of hydration and the life-giving properties of water, to how beverages inspire wellbeing and connecting with people.

Melika Morrison-Mills, winner of the main scholarship, caught the eyes of the judges with her essay inspired by her earliest memories of regularly sharing bottles of Caribbean root drink with her brother, contrasting this with her experience of a visit to Ghana where she saw a desperate need from families simply for clean water.

On receiving the scholarship, Ms Morrison-Mills said, “The past few years at university have been my biggest challenge. I made fantastic progress at A-level and thought this would follow through to now. Although in school and during my sixth form I received rewards for my achievement, the Re-imagination Scholarship award is very special as it makes it possible for me to focus more on my studies. I would like to thank TGB for reminding me that I am an achiever and that all things are possible, even when the going gets tough.”

Harish Bhat, CEO, TGB, said, “We believe that all young people should have fair access to education regardless of background and TGB is proud to continue our association with Brunel’s Urban Scholars Programme and its proven success in inspiring learning. The essays this year were yet again creative and inspirational, illustrating the magical moments beverages can help create.”

Professor Valsa Koshy, director of the Brunel Able Children’s Centre which operates the Urban Scholars Programme, commented, “We are very grateful to TGB for offering scholarships to the undergraduates who joined Brunel University after attending our Urban Scholars Programme. The Urban Scholars Programme is designed to improve life chances of students by nourishing their intellects and emotional systems, emphasising the message that they can aim high whatever background they come from or what type of school they attend. The scholarships will support the students to go on and achieve their goals.”

Scholarship winner Tycan Jaworski added, “To achieve my goal of working in the video games industry, I had considered attending a post-graduate course which would provide me with a well-respected qualification. However, the steep cost of the course has prevented me from being able to do this. Now, thanks to TGB's Re-imagination Scholarship, I will be able to take this important next step towards achieving my dream.”