The judging panel for the Millennium Point Scholarship, which will award one student a fully funded degree at Birmingham City University, has been named.
The five-strong panel will be headed by Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE), which is to host the winning student on one of its 20+ undergraduate courses.
Prof Shah will be joined by Katie Burnell, Account Manager at consulting and infrastructure support services giant Amey Consulting PLC; Faye Pressly, Chief Operating Officer at technology contractor Vanti; Tim Kay, Sector Lead, technology and media at professional services firm KPMG; and Martino Giaquinto, Partner and specialists construction and engineering lawyer at legal firm, Mills & Reeve.
The panel will hear from five finalists, all of whom are vying for a life-changing scholarship, at a live event at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, on March 13.
The event will see each of the finalists presenting their insights on regional issues such as low-income housing, transport and safety online in a Dragons Den style pitch to judges before the panel selects a winner.
Abbie Vlahakis, Interim CEO at Millennium Point, said: “Following a record-breaking number of applications for the Millennium Point Scholarship this year, we have gathered a stellar judging panel to oversee the final stage.
“The strength of the members demonstrates the impact this scholarship can have, not just in terms of the free degree, but the contacts we will help our winner to make as they progress through university to the workplace.”
More than £5 million in profits from the commercial activity of the multi-award-winning Birmingham venue is invested by its Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region.
The BCU Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment covers more than 20 different courses ranging from Civil Engineering to Computer Games Technology and Film Production Technology.
While the winner will enrol on an undergraduate course at BCU, the other four finalists will receive ongoing support towards their careers including coaching, mentoring and industry work experience provided through Millennium Point.
For tickets to the live final, visit this link.
Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
A grant funding pot of more than £400,000 is now open to schools, charities and not-for-profit organisations across the West Midlands as part of a major Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education initiative.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust has opened its latest Small Grants Programme for applications, with up to £20,000 available for individual applicants.
Profits from the commercial activity of the multi-award winning Birmingham venue is invested by its Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of STEM initiatives in the West Midlands region.
Previous grant recipients have used the funding to create dedicated resource rooms, fund learning clubs, run activity programmes and organise careers fairs encouraging girls into STEM.
Applications are set to close on February 14th 2020 with bosses hoping to see applications increase from last year, when the Programme was introduced.
Abigail Vlahakis, Interim CEO at Millennium Point, said: “We had an extremely positive and successful debut year for our Small Grants Programme.
“STEM roles are the jobs of the future in the region and we are striving to play a key role in ensuring young people from the West Midlands will be in pole position to take those roles – most of which have yet to be conceived.
“The Grants Programme gives a chance for those young people with a passion for STEM learning the chance to take that further, opening up opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
“We really want to open up STEM learning to groups who have typically been somewhat marginalised by these industries, so we want to see applications coming from far and wide.
“I would like to wish all applicants the best of luck and can’t wait to see the unique ideas they put forward.”
Over recent years, several reports have been published identifying Birmingham and the West Midlands as the centre for Science and Innovation outside of London, marking STEM as the key to economic growth in the region.
However, the nationwide STEM skills gap means that the region currently has a shortfall of 173,000 skilled workers as 89% of STEM businesses struggle to recruit with a majority of high skilled roles being left unfulfilled.
Until recently there was also a rapid decline in interest in STEM subjects at school, meaning less people would be entering training to eventually take up these jobs.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust was recently awarded “Third Sector Organisation of the Year” at the Birmingham Post Business Awards and featured for their unique charitable business model in this years ‘Innovation 50” report produced annually by law firm Mills & Reeves.
To apply for a Millennium Point small grant, please click here.
The Millennium Point Charitable Trust will award £2,000 to one school or college in the West Midlands as part of our 2020 scholarship programme.
The school or college that provides the most applicants for our 2020 scholarship programme will be awarded £2,000 to enhance their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) curriculum. The incentive forms part of a wider campaign to promote the initiative, which received a record number of applications in 2019.
How does it work?
All you have to do is encourage your students aged 17+ to apply for the scholarship programme. As part of the application, students will tell us what school or college they’re applying from and we’ll keep track of the number of applicants form each school or college in the West Midlands. Once the application window is over we’ll tally up the scores and award the school or college that provided the most applicants £2,000 to be spent on enhancing their STEM curriculum.
You can visit our resource page to learn more about the competition and download promotional material to share within your school or college. You can also request a promotional pack to be sent directly to you which contains posters and leaflets, or a visit from our team by getting in touch with us on [email protected]
What’s the scholarship?
Open now until 31st January 2020, the Millennium Point Scholarship pays for one young person’s undergraduate tuition fees at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Now in its sixth year, the competition is open to young people aged 17+ in the West Midlands. It’s a two-stage competition designed to build confidence and showcase rising talent in the region, with a live final held at Millennium Point in March. Finalists are given skills development workshops to build their confidence, leadership and public speaking skills as part of the competition, as well as opportunities to meet employers and build their own networks in their chosen industry. The competition was won in 2019 by, then 17-year-old, Laura Avis from Bourneville College. Laura is now in her first year at the faculty studying a BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology, and in a recent interview urged young people “Don’t be scared, just apply!”.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent or know a school or college, this is an opportunity not to be missed! Head on over to this page for more information and resources to get you started.
Students looking to apply can start their application today by visiting millenniumpoint.org/scholarship
We’re a landmark public building and award-winning events and conference venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which promote the growth of STEM and education within the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom. For more information on our charitable work, please visit our charity page. You can follow Millennium Point on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram with @millenniumpoint.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learning across the West Midlands has been given a major boost after a charitable trust issued more than £410,000 of grant funding.
Grants of up to £20,000 from the Millennium Point Charitable Trust’s Small Grants Programme have been issued to 34 schools, charities and not-for-profit organisations in a bid to impact how STEM is perceived and promoted in the region.
Over recent years, several reports have been published identifying Birmingham and the West Midlands as the centre for Science and Innovation outside of London, marking STEM as the key to economic growth in the region.
However, the nationwide STEM skills gap means that the region currently has a shortfall of 173,000 skilled workers as 89% of STEM businesses struggle to recruit with a majority of high skilled roles being left unfulfilled.
Until recently there was also a rapid decline in interest in STEM subjects at school, meaning less people would be entering training to eventually take up these jobs.
The 2018/19 grant program will aid the purchase of new equipment, events, after-school clubs and more to enhance STEM learning and increase appetite for relevant careers in the West Midlands.
Abigail Vlahakis, CEO at Millennium Point said: “2018/19 marked an incredibly successful first year for our Small Grants Program and we are delighted to hear that our recipients are starting to put their money to good use.
“From early child development in schools to business development and community engagement, we are aiming to make a positive, tangible impact across the West Midlands in how STEM is perceived and promoted.
“We are looking forward to working with this years recipients as they make the most of their grant funding and of course, we are excited to see the results of their work.”
Millennium Point is a multi-award-winning venue, charity and landmark public building in the eastside of Birmingham City centre.
Profits from its commercial activity is invested through the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands region.
Abigail said: “Our charitable outputs are determined by our commercial profits, which means the more businesses spend money with us, whether it’s through our venue or our retail spaces, the more we can make a positive impact on the region.”
Notable projects to arise from this year’s grants include a contribution towards the funding of a week-long STEM Festival organised by the Ahead Partnership, while Trinity High School will create a STEM room.
Many schools are also using their grant to upgrade facilities or increase access to STEM resources for pupils.
Applications for this year’s Millennium Point Small Grants program are set to open in December, with details to be announced by Millennium Point over the coming months, with the aim of exceeding the £410,000 issued for the 2018/19 program.
For more details please visit millenniumpoint.org.uk/small-grants or call 0121 202 2200.
Applications are now open for our life-changing scholarship at Birmingham City University.
Each year, the Millennium Point Charitable Trust fully fund an undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, which covers over 20 different courses ranging from civil engineering to video game design and film production.
Now in its sixth year, the Millennium Point Trust Scholarship has funded four young people through their degrees at Birmingham City University, with the fifth winner, Laura starting her course in Film Production Technology this month.
Who can apply?
Applications are only being accepted from students living in the West Midlands region, who cannot already have or currently be studying an undergraduate degree.
Why should they apply?
All finalists will benefit from the programme with opportunities that can kick start their career in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM).
One person will get a fully funded degree – which means they won’t pay their undergraduate tuition fees. They’ll also have several opportunities to develop through networking, events and industry links provided through Millennium Point.
All finalists receive skills development and training to build their confidence before the live final. Following the competition, they can become an alumnus of the programme and benefit from a range of opportunities such as mentoring, work placements and networking.
How can they apply?
The application process is broken down into two stages, with those who proceed to stage two getting to present their story to a live audience comprised of key stakeholders and industry experts.
The first stage is quick and easy, they just need to fill out an application and submit it to our online form with any supporting materials before 11:59pm 31st January 2020. We’ll then select up to 6 finalists to compete in the live final in March.
Get started
If you or someone you know is interested, head over to millenniumpoint.org.uk/scholarship/apply and start the application.
Millennium Point is a multi-award-winning venue, charity and landmark public building in the east side of Birmingham City centre. Profits from its commercial activity is invested through the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth and development of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands region. For more information, visit our about page.
Millennium Point is celebrating after being named Third Sector Organisation of the Year at a major Birmingham awards ceremony.
The team donned black-tie attire to attend this year’s Birmingham Post Business Awards event, held at the International Convention Centre.
Being shortlisted alongside Baby Lifeline and Witton Lodge Community Association was already an honour but the judging panel, chaired by Birmingham Post editor-in-chief Marc Reeves, deemed Millennium Point worthy of taking home the award.
Profits from our commercial activity as a property owner, award-winning events venue and office space are used by the Millennium Point Trust to fund initiatives supporting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and education in the region. Our main charitable outputs include our small grants initiative, which grants up to £20,000 to schools, colleges, not-for-profits and charities to develop their STEM projects and facilities; and the Millennium Point Scholarship (which is open for 2020), which awards one young person in the West Midlands a fully funded undergraduate degree at Birmingham City Univeristy’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.
Abbie Vlahakis, Millennium Point CEO, said: “The Birmingham Post Business Awards brought together the very best of the city’s business community and we are incredibly proud to have been selected as Third Sector Organisation of the Year.
“Working at Millennium Point offers so much variety to our team but our charity work is something we are all particularly proud of, so to be recognised for this is a real honour.
“I would like to thank all of our amazing staff for helping us achieve this – everyone here is a valued, crucial member of the team.
“I would also like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees on the evening, it was great to see that business in Birmingham is thriving.”
In 2018 alone, the Millennium Point Charitable Trust invested £4.8m back into the region through projects, events and initiatives that support the development of STEM learning.
Please see this section of our website for further information on our charitable work.
As a STEM charity, we love anything science, tech, engineering and maths – so you can imagine our faces lit up with child-like glee when we heard it was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission this week!
In true Millennium Point style, we knew we had to celebrate one of the biggest achievements of the 20th century. We recruited our very own MP astronaut; you may know him, it was the wonderful Mat from the Marketing team; suiting up in the name of STEM.
From Millennium point we took one small step rather than a giant leap into Birmingham City centre to talk to the public about our fantastic events spaces and the Millennium Point Trust (we’re a charity, just in case you didn’t know) and last year alone donated £4.8 million back into STEM Projects in the West Midlands region. (Read about our small grants programme here).
Our astronaut’s day began by landing in our own auditorium, a whopping 350 seater space with a giant screen (many Brummies’ fondly remember it as the old IMAX theatre) – a space that’s perfect for film screenings, award ceremonies, conferences, lectures and AGM’s . We’ll be hosting the Birmingham Film Festival here in November. We then boldly went where many have gone before and headed down to platform. Connected directly to the auditorium with its own private bar, Platform is the perfect place for a party – time to bust some moves, moon walk anyone?
After a quick stop to see our friends over at Thinktank to check out their newly refurbished 4k planetarium and find out about their Moon Landing Party on Saturday 20th July, we caught the closest capsule into the city centre for a tour of Birmingham’s landmarks; stopping for selfies along the way.
It was great to get out, meet everyone and put the 50th anniversary of the Apollo mission on the radar of Birmingham.
We even got to hear a few stories from people who’d witnessed the launch first hand – one lovely lady out with her grandchild told us how she’d watched it at home with her mother and another lady recalling watching the launch and moon landing at school – the teachers wheeled in a TV and the class shared the momentous moment together!
If you grabbed a selfie with our astronaut we’d love to see it, tag us on social or share a story of your Apollo mission memory.
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There are some professions out there that may not spring to mind when you think of STEM (science, tech, engineering and maths), most people think of scientists in lab but there’s so much more to these four subjects and the careers those who study them find themselves in.
We caught up with Marcus Jenkins, a musician, record producer and sound engineer at 2000 trees festival. Marcus runs the Neu stage at the festival which involves overseeing all elements of running the stage from; Sound Engineering, Lighting, Backline, and Stage Management and where he coordinates his sound engineering students from the University of Gloucestershire. The festival was crowned ‘Best Medium-Sized Festival’ at the Festival Awards 2018 and headlined by Frank Turner, You Me at Six & Deaf Havana.
Q: How did the link between you, the students and 2000 trees come about?
A: The University of Gloucestershire has a great relationship with the festival. I can’t exactly remember how it all started, but I recall meetings with Andy & James (2 of the organisers of 2000 trees) back in 2011 discussing the potential for our students working on The Greenhouse stage. The Greenhouse became The Croft and then, with the site re-jig a few years ago, became the Neu Stage.
Q: Any recommendations for artists over the weekend?
I’ll be faithful to the Gloucestershire locals: Floorboards, Watercolours, All Ears Avow, and of course, Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun.
Q: When working as a sound engineer, do you get to enjoy the music, or do you have to be constantly switched on?
A: I’d like to think that the very nature of being a Sound Engineer means you are always switched on to what and who you are working with. There are some artists that might not suit your personal taste, but you can always get into the mix and provide a good service to the act and to the audience. If an act suits your musical taste, then mixing becomes a great pleasure.
Q: You must be busy all weekend with your job, do you get any downtime to go and see any acts?
A: There’s very little downtime when working on a stage which tends to be the nature of the work. However, as coordinator for the students volunteering on the stage, if anyone wanted to go watch one of their favourite acts on another stage then I will accommodate their request and rotate the team to make sure the work in our venue is covered.
Q: As you work as freelance sound engineer what other kind of events have you worked on?
A: I’ve worked for over 10 years as a freelance live sound engineer for a variety of different events from; music festivals, venues, touring bands, comedy, corporate, and conference work.
Q: Have you always wanted to work in the music industry?
A: Yes – from the age of about 18. Prior to that I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.
Q: At what age did you start getting involved in music, and to build on that; the technical side of things?
A: I started going to gigs from the age of 14 (sneaking into venues with age restrictions). Playing in bands around 16 and getting hands-on with tech from 18.
Q: What’s your most memorable experience working in Live music?
A: Touring with Crooks UK on their debut album EU/UK tour (w/ Boston Manor). The tour had to cease after a few shows due to ill health but the gigs we did were insane.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Live music, either at a festival or in concert, generates a certain energy. There’s nothing like getting the mix spot on and feeling the crew, room acoustic, and artist working together to deliver an excellent experience for the audience.
Q: So where and what did you study?
A: I studied a B-TEC at City of Bath College from 2004-2006 in Music Practice. This drove me to undertake a BA(Hons) at the University of Gloucestershire in Popular Music from 2007-2010.
Q: How did you find the course?
A: Really enjoyed the B-TEC as it got me started on my journey. I found my BA course unique as I was able to experiment with what I enjoyed most and networked along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for both experiences.
Q: Do you think it’s important that more young people get involved in STEM subjects?
A: Absolutely! There’s so much that can be learned by being exposed to right circumstances and experiences. Whether you are a practical or vocational learner, or reflector or theorist, there will be the right course out there for you in STEM should you want to learn more!
Q: You also work for University of Gloucestershire assisting students in the media school, how is that?
A: It’s amazing. I am lucky to be surrounded by inspirational students, where projects in the music studio or computer lab vary from day-to-day and I get to enjoy fantastic experiences like supporting my students working at great festivals like 2000 trees.
Q: Are the students solely focused on the technical side of things or is there a link between performance and engineering?
A: Our students in the Media School study either BA or MA degrees. So whilst technology links almost all things music, understanding and knowledge of tech isn’t essential before you start the course. We have fantastic facilities and support technicians, along with great lecturers that deliver all the right information and content for students to carry out their studies.
Q: What are the opportunities like for students once the graduate to work in the music industry and STEM?
A: From my experience in education, you get out what you put in. Music education and STEM subjects are no different. If you are committed and invest your time in your studies (and that includes time outside the classroom) then you will be able to find work.
Find out more about Marcus here and the Music courses at the University of Gloucestershire: Creative Music Technology, Music Business and Popular Music.
2000 Trees festival won the awards for ‘Best Medium-Sized Festival’ at the Festival Awards 2018 and tickets for 2020 are available at a discounted rate now – https://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/tickets/
Millennium Point is a landmark building in Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Owned by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust who supports science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands, Millennium Point is home to award-winning events and conference spaces, including a 350-seat auditorium with Birmingham’s biggest screen, as well as tenants such as Thinktank Science Museum and Birmingham City University. For more information about the organisation get in touch.
The list of speakers for DIDFest 2019 Finale Party have been announced and they’re a great mix of professional from across the digital/tech industry!
Following four weeks of 50 outstanding events across Birmingham with over 1,000 attendees #DIDFest2019 wraps up with a celebratory closing party at Millennium Point in Birmingham City Centre. Whether you attended any events or not as part of the festival this event will give you valuable insight, skills and tools to help you grow in digital and tech.
Meet the speakers
Dr. Charlotte Webb, co-founder of the Feminist Internet & Founding Director of Even
Nominated by the Evening Standard as one of the most influential people in Technology and Science in London in 2018 Dr. Webb has been featured by a wide range of media platforms and presented at TedX, Internet Age Media and Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity among many others.
Co-founder of the Feminist Internet, an ambitious non-profit advancing internet equalities for women and other marginalised groups through creative, critical practice and Founding Director of Even, an ethical tech consultancy that brings Feminist Internet intelligence to brands and businesses; Dr Webb brings a wealth of knowledge of the industry to DIDFest 2019.
https://twitter.com/otheragent?lang=en-gb | https://twitter.com/feministintrnet
Mac Alonge, CEO of The Equal Group
Over the last 10 years, Mac has worked with and for some of the world’s largest private and public sector organisations, including the likes of KPMG, National Grid, Capita and the Scottish and UK governments. Throughout his career, Mac has observed that there are numerous barriers within the workplace that prevent organisations from truly reaping the benefits that come from embracing greater levels of equality, diversity and inclusion. Mac’s mission is to ensure that the current generation leaves a legacy whereby equality and inclusion are the new ‘norm’ and differences are respected and valued.
“As we move towards being a digital economy, the digital sector will be responsible for shaping how we live our lives in the medium to long term – diversity in digital is imperative to ensuring that our future is more inclusive and representative than our past and indeed our current. Diversity and inclusion is a job for all of us!”
https://twitter.com/theequalgroup | https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-equal-group
Ria Blagburn, Team Integrator at Vanti and MD of GrowBeyond
Ria Blagburn spent the first decade of her career in marketing, during which she founded her own company and won the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year award for Marketing and Communications. Ria changed focus in 2019 to apply her skills in a new way at technology company Vanti. As Team Integrator, Ria supports and coordinates activities and resources on a day-to-day basis, whilst also designing and implementing processes that will help Vanti’s Service team to scale in line with the wider company strategy. A passionate champion of causes she believes in, Ria has chaired committees for Silicon Canal and BPS Birmingham Future, and has recently launched Birmingham Future’s newest committee to promote diversity and inclusion within the city’s professional services sector.
https://twitter.com/riaface?lang=en-gb | https://www.linkedin.com/in/riablagburn/
Genea Lynch, Digital Director at Exhibit Interactive
Genea Lynch is a stand designer turned App Developer. She specialises in creating applications in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.
https://twitter.com/GeneaLynch?lang=en-gb | https://www.linkedin.com/in/genea-lynch-b501464a/
More information to follow, so keep checking this blog for updates!
To book your tickets, click here.
Did you know that Millennium Point is actually a charity? Last year alone we contributed more than £4.8 million back into the region. It’s our aim to support the growth of science, technology, engineering and Maths (STEM) throughout the West Midlands.
Each year, not-for-profits and schools across the region can apply for funding that enables them to start projects supporting this aim, some have included; a careers convention with workshops and panel discussions encouraging more girls to take up careers in STEM, building a 3D printing and robotics lab in a school allowing students to gain experience in advanced technology or setting up a scholarship for a free undergraduate STEM degree.
Applications for our 2019 Grants programme 2019 are now open. We have 3 levels of funding:
• Under £2,000 (all entities)
• Under £2,000 (school specific)
• £2,000-£20,000 (all entities)
Applications for the 2019 scholarship will close at 11:59pm on 31st May.
To download the criteria and submit an application, visit the grants page. Or contact a member of the MP team on 0121 202 2200 or [email protected].
