After a record number of applications, Five West Midlands-based students have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Millennium Point Trust Scholarship programme.
Hoping to secure our fully paid-for degree in partnership Birmingham City University (BCU) faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, the shortlisted candidates will present on issues hindering the growth of the West Midlands in relation to their chosen subjects, to a panel of top industry judges and a captive audience during a live event at Millennium Point on March 27th.
The shortlisted candidates include Jerome Adrien, 19, from Birmingham, who has applied for Automotive Engineering; Laura Jane Avis, 17, from Redditch, who hopes to study Film Production Technology; Moses Mbikayi Mukendi, 17 from Coventry, who has chosen Computer Games Technology; Caitlin Cooper, 17, from Wolverhampton, who wants to study Computer Forensics; and Feargus Flanagan, 17, from Wolverhampton, who is looking to pursue Music Technology.
This year we’ve seen the highest number of applications for the scholarship to date, so shortlisting Jerome, Laura, Moses, Caitlin and Feargus was a really tough job. The sheer quality of applications, number of entrants and the variety of courses chosen really highlights the growing interest in STEM (science, engineering, engineering and mathematics) subjects and the Millennium Point Trust Scholarship itself.
The scholarship programme, now in its fifth year, is the flagship initiative from the Millennium Point Charitable Trust and is fully funded by the charity in partnership with Birmingham City University. In 2018 our charitable trust invested more than £4.8m in STEM-related organisations, projects and initiatives, based in the West Midlands.
As event planners look ahead to 2019, what are the key considerations they should have at the front of their mind when researching suitable venues?
We asked our Commercial Director, Rebecca Delmore, to list five things which every event organiser should bear in mind.
ONE – LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
The adage ‘location, location, location’ still holds true…a central location with good transport links goes a long way to helping your event to run smoothly. It means delegates and speakers can find the venue with minimum stress and are more likely to arrive on time. Millennium Point is close to the City Centre, with on-site parking and excellent transport links to trains, tram and busses so it makes us quite popular for conferences and big events. Try to find somewhere that’s straightforward for the majority of your guests to reach.
TWO – COST
Whatever the size of the organisation booking the events space, cost will be a deciding factor. As well as the headline cost, it’s worth being aware of any little extras which might pop up from the small print, such as car parking fees, Wi-Fi, refreshments etc. Choose a venue that has a clear, simple pricing policy, and if you’re not sure – ask!
THRE – CAPACITY
Whether you’re expecting 10 people or 500 at your event, finding somewhere that’s the right size is a must – as well as a venue that’s able to flex into various configurations. For example, Millennium Point has a variety of spaces, from small 5 person meeting rooms in CONNECT to our 350-seat AUDITORIUM which makes us more appealing for clients.
FOUR – ACCOMMODATION
If delegates are travelling a fair distance to your event, or it’s running over a number of days, accommodation is essential – whether it’s on-site or close at hand. It will mean that not only will your event run more smoothly – visitors are less likely to arrive late – but attendees will have more opportunity to rest and relax after a busy day. It also doesn’t hurt to ask the host venue if they can recommend accommodation, as they might have preferential rates or packages with certain hotels.
FIVE – TECHNICAL AND DESIGN
How good is the AV? Check whether or not the venue you’re considering has built-in audio-visual equipment and technical crew for set-up, or whether you need to take your own. In terms of aesthetics, you want your chosen venue to look contemporary, but it may need to suit the tastes of a wide age range of delegates; the look and feel need to not only project the right brand image but also be appropriate for your target audience.
So there you have it – 5 top tips to consider when booking your next event.
Ready to book an event?
With a range of versatile and flexible public and private events space, Millennium Point’s experienced team are on hand to help deliver your event. Whether you’re hosting a banquet, showcasing your new product, holding a conference, having a party or delivering a high-profile presentation, here you can do it all. Plus, a percentage of your booking will fund its charitable work supporting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects and initiatives across the region. Get in touch with our event team today by email or by calling 0121 202 2200
In December 2018, we partnered with not-for-profit Ahead Partnership to introduce opportunities within the tech industry to female students from across Birmingham.
Taking place in our 350-seat AUDITORIUM and open-plan PLATFORM spaces inside Millennium Point, the event was attended by more than 130 students and 11 leading digital firms from the local area.
GirlTechBrum event is aimed at raising aspirations and helping young women aged 12 – 13 years old explore careers in the digital and tech sectors, through a series of interactive careers panels, workshops and guest speakers, supported by a range of businesses. The event allowed students to see first-hand what a career in digital involves, and it’s great to see a diverse range of businesses come together to challenge perceptions of tech and digital and help young women see their place in this fast-growing industry.
The event was funded by our charity, the Millennium Point Charitable Trust and supported by social enterprise Ahead Partnership. #GirlTechBrum is part of Ahead Partnership’s Make the Grade programme, which has supported more than 150,000 young people to date with real-life, hands-on experiences, delivered by local employers.
Over 130 pupils attended the event in our iconic building in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside, with guest speeches from Melissa Snover, MD of the world’s first 3D sweet printer Magic Candy, and Faye Pressly, COO at technology solutions provider Vanti.
Students also participated in a range of workshops from Codemasters, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Legal & General, InMoment, Lander Automotive and PwC, covering a range of topics including financial crime, UX and customer intelligence, before posing their own questions to a panel of female role models in STEM. 
The tech industry is already one of the most important for the UK, and is vital to the continued success of the region’s economy; which is why it is a key part of Metro Mayor Andy Street’s economic strategy. It’s important that businesses continue to support these initiatives, so we can reach further young people and continue to make a difference across Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
As a venue and destination dedicated to supporting STEM, we’re delighted to partner with organisations like Ahead Partnership on events such as this.
To find out more about the Millennium Point Charitable Trust, please visit our charity page.
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.
