With the deadline for applications fast approaching for the Millennium Point Scholarship; quality and passion are some of the words of advice offered by previous winners of the fully paid-for degree in partnership with Birmingham City University.
Now in its fifth year, our Scholarship awards one person in the West Midlands a free degree at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment – free of tuition fees.
Sagal Abdirahman, the 2017 winner of the Millennium Point Scholarship, talks about passion and preparation being key to securing the next scholarship spot. She commented:
“If I had one piece of advice I could offer to applicants of The Millennium Point Trust Scholarship, it would be to ensure that you complete thorough research on your topic of choice. Come prepared, as the more prepared you feel and the more passionate you are, the easier it will be for to speak about your chosen subject.”
Our 19-year-old winner wowed the panel of judges last year with her presentation ‘Cleaning the Planet’. Sagal is currently in her second year on a Civil Engineering course at Birmingham City University.
Ryan Dowell, has just started his sponsored course in Civil Engineering at BCU, having won last year’s scholarship. He has also completed a work experience programme at Laing O’Rourke / Murphy Joint Venture, two of Europe’s most prominent engineering and construction companies facilitated by Millennium Point.
Commenting on his experience, Ryan said: “It’s not just about the quality of your presentation when it comes to winning, but more so about your skills as a public speaker.
“Speaking confidently about your topic will carry you far both in the scholarship programme and in life afterwards. I was really nervous when I first got on stage, but once I got into my presentation it all came naturally.”
Applications are now open to all West Midlands-based students ready to start their degree in September 2019.
The application process consists of a few short questions encouraging why they should win the degree, followed by opportunities for those shortlisted, including presentation training, industry work placements and networking with STEM business leaders facilitated by Millennium Point. The scholarship will then be awarded during a live final event on 27th March where the candidates will present their project findings to an audience and panel of esteemed industry judges.
Not only does the scholarship provide the opportunity for a young person to take their first steps in their career helping address the current UK shortage of skilled workers in STEM industries, but it also reinforces The Millennium Point Charitable Trust’s objectives of supporting STEM projects having already invested more than £4.8m West Midlands-based, STEM-related initiatives.
Our Charitable Trust has announced donations of more than £4.8m to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects across the West Midlands in 2018.
All of the commercial activity that takes place in our landmark building, whether it’s running an event or leasing workspace, feeds back into our charity. This enables us to donate and invest in STEM-related organisations, projects and initiatives that benefit Birmingham and the wider region.
This has included more than £281,000 to fund four projects by Birmingham Museums Trust including Year of the Engineer 2018 and a Science and Heritage Career Ladder Legacy; working with Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment to offer a free undergraduate degree through the Millennium Point Scholarship, now in its fifth year.
We’re immensely proud of the quality and breadth of STEM-related projects that the Millennium Point Charitable Trust has been able to support. The Trust has made a significant difference in the region and, particularly with projects such as our scholarship, it’s encouraging to see young people taking a real interest in STEM as a future career.
We opened in 2001 as the largest landmark millennium project in England, outside of London. Inside, we’re home to several unique event spaces including a 350-capacity auditorium, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and offices, and largest tenants ThinkTank and Birmingham City University (BCU).
You can find out more about our services and spaces by visiting our venue section and more about our charitable work in our charity section of the website.
Did you know that 36% of New Year Resolutions involve improving what we eat and drink? The human brain is composed of 95% water, our lungs are 90%, blood is 83%, muscles are 76%, and even our bones are 22% water. And, of course, it’s no secret that more fruit and veggies in our diet are a good thing. Combined, keeping hydrated and having more fruit and vegetables increase our energy levels and improve our mood, making us happier, more alert and considerably more productive. Now imagine what impact happier, more alert and more productive attendees would have on your event.
Our lighter menu packages are brimming with delicious, well-balanced food options designed to bring out the best in you and your guests. Available now to add to your venue booking.
Option 1 – Wellbeing Buffet
Breakfast
A selection of cereal and granola bars
Mid-Morning
Mixed fruit bowls
Wellbeing Buffet Lunch
Baked salmon & herb crust
Pan seared breast of spiced chicken
With a selection of freshly prepared salads…
Quinoa & roasted sweet potato
Watermelon & feta cheese
Italian bean & parmesan
Beetroot & celeriac remoulade
Mixed leaf salad
New potatoes
And for afters…
Blueberry and low-fat yoghurt dressed with honey and toasted almonds
Served with a range of fruit juices
Mid-afternoon
Skinny Popcorn
(Gluten free, high in fibre and with 30% less fat than standard popcorn. Suitable for Vegans).
Refreshments
Three servings throughout the day of tea, coffee, water and a selection of fruit teas.
Option 2 – Lighter Lunch | £32 pp + VAT
Breakfast
A selection of cereal and granola bars
Lighter Lunch
An assortment of freshly prepared, handcrafted wraps served with crisp mixed salad, fresh fruit & organic yoghurt
Refreshments
Three servings throughout the day of tea, coffee, water and a selection of fruit teas.
Vegan-friendly and gluten-free options are available. We can also cater for any additional dietary requirements; just let us know when placing your order.
New year, new website! Designed to offer you easy access to the latest information and news from our award-winning venue and charity; our shiny new website will better capture who we are and what we do, making it as accessible as possible for both our public and professional visitors.
We’ve designed the site with simplicity in mind with smoother navigation thanks to a cleaner layout with improved functionality.
Our site will be updated regularly to provide instant access to ongoing activities and events taking place at Millennium Point.
Looking ahead, it will enable us to showcase the stories or those supported through our charitable trust, connect more directly with local businesses and highlight the benefits that our unique venue can provide.
Start browsing now and submit any feedback to [email protected].
Two British-based global rail giants have selected Millennium Point to develop their plans to build an iconic train for High Speed 2.
A team of up to 50 experts from Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail, including engineers, designers and environmental specialists, have come together in the new HS2 bid centre to work up the proposals.
Based on level 4 of our building, overlooking Curzon Street and the planned site of HS2 station, they are already developing their concepts for what will be the fastest train ever operated in the UK.
Millennium Point (above) was the catalyst for regeneration in Eastside when it opened in 2001
The official announcement was made on Wednesday 12th September in our newly refurbished PLATFORM event space and was attended by ITV, Sky News and BBC West Midlands, amongst others.
Millennium Point was chosen from a national pool of more than one hundred potential sites. The two rail giants favoured the convenient location opposite the future HS2 site; the flexibility of the office and venue spaces on offer inside the building as well as our charity objectives, supporting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) organisations, projects and initiatives through our company’s charitable arm–the Millennium Point Trust.
Our Commercial Director Rebecca Delmore, who spoke at the event alongside senior members of Bombardier Transport and Hitachi Rail, said:
“The opportunity to host Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail to Millennium Point and support their bid is something we’re really excited to be involved in. HS2 will notably change the whole region, especially Eastside, and Millennium Point has a pivotal role to play as the facilitator, which starts now. Our commitment as both Millennium Point the building, and the Millennium Point Charitable Trust, to invest in and support into STEM developments across the region continues to help open doors for Birmingham, as we welcome major players like Bombardier and Hitachi to our doorstep.”
Millennium Point Commercial Director, Rebecca Delmore (above) opened the press conference on 12th September 2018, formally welcoming the joint venture into the building.
The development of the major new train fleet can help to boost regional growth while delivering the skills and training needed to realise the future export potential of the wider high-speed rail sector.
Britain’s bullet train will offer passengers an unrivalled travel experience as it runs at speeds of up to 360 kp/h on the new link between the West Midlands and London when it opens in 2026.
Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail’s bid will also ensure that trains will be specially designed to make them ‘classic compatible,’ so that they are able to travel on the current network to serve cities such as York, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The final bid is due to be submitted from the development centre stationed inside Millennium Point in February 2019, with £2.7bn contract to design and build 54 trains to be awarded in March 2020.
Wait, Millennium Point is a charity?
We are! Profits from our commercial activity as a property owner, events venue and office space are used by the Millennium Point Trust to fund initiatives, which support science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and education in the region. Awesome, no?
- The Millennium Point Scholarship is funding over £24,000 in degree fees of four students Malik, Abi, Sagal and Ryan at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Providing funds that otherwise would not have made university possible. Additionally, Ryan has just completed work experience at LMJV and Abi at ARUP through our Scholarship Programme.
- £5,000 worth of learning materials for Holywell Primary School in Rubery, including advanced Lego equipment that will allow the school to further enhance its current STEM learning provision
- More than £281,000 to fund four projects by Birmingham Museums Trust including Year of the Engineer 2018 and a Science and Heritage Career Ladder Legacy, as well as directly benefiting students from deprived areas in their visits to Thinktank through covering entry and transport costs.
- Over £21,000 to allow for the procurement of machinery, installation and materials relating to robots and a 3D printer at Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield. This will allow students to gain experience and improve their knowledge and skills in design, analysis and operation of advanced technology
- £5,000 to fund Monster Confidence 2018, a one-day event organised by job finding portal Monster and renowned STEM organization STEMettes. This free event invites girls aged 15+ to a full day of workshops, seminars, speed networking, keynotes and panel discussions designed to support and inspire them to pursue STEM careers.
- Donated our spaces to the return of HacktheMidlands 3.0, an all-inclusive Hack-a-thon that offers a safe, inclusive space for people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
HacktheMidlands 3.0 will return this November to Millennium Point - Offer hundreds of pounds in reductions to STEM organisations who book our event spaces.
For more information on this year’s awards please see our initial announcement, to know more about how our charitable arm works please visit our grants page or and for updates and news from our charity please sign up to our mailing list.
