Top performing student scoops sought-after Salters’ Graduate Prize
Swathi Venkatesan, a third-year Chemical and Process Engineering student at London South Bank University (LSBU), has been awarded the esteemed 2013 Salters' Graduate Prize.Every year, the Salters' Institute awards up to ten £1,000 prizes to final-year undergraduates studying Chemistry or Chemical Engineering at UK universities.
Candidates are nominated by their Chemical Engineering or Chemistry Department and then enter a selection process to be in line to scoop up one of the prestigious awards.
Each nominated student is assessed on their potential to take on a leading industry position. Additionally, candidates are expected to show some knowledge of the Chemical industry's current situation and the need for changing technology in the future.
The final stage of the selection process consists of two interviews - one with the General Interview Panel, including the Director and the Manager of the Salters' Institute, followed by a second in front of the Chemical Engineering Panel.
Swathi impressed the panels with her views on current issues facing the UK Chemical industry and also spoke of her extra-curricular activities and her course at LSBU.
Commenting on her win, Swathi said: "I am delighted to receive this prestigious award. I was fortunate to be nominated for the Salters' Graduate Prize this year by my department.
"The support I have received from my course directors and lecturers during my degree and the design project really helped me through the interview process."
During her time at the University, Swathi has boosted her employability - she has undertaken a placement with multinational oil and gas company Shell, participated in LSBU mentoring programme 'Mentoring for Success', helped establish the University's 'Bright Futures' society, and has also been successful in gaining a place on the coveted Goldman Sachs Future Horizons BME Graduate Development Programme.
Rukhsana Faiz, Principal Lecturer and Academic Director in the Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment, said:
"Swathi is an outstanding student who has made the most of the opportunities available to enhance her employability, both inside LSBU and externally. She has raised the profile of Chemical Engineering at LSBU and is a fantastic ambassador for the University."
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