Giving a donation is a little like throwing a stone into a pond. Your support creates ripples that spread out long after the donations have been made. Students impacted by your kindness go on to achieve great things and become the world changers of the future.
One of the greatest challenges facing our future is climate change, but it’s a challenge many of our students and the university are determined to face head on. To hear how your support for scholarships is inspiring the next generation to develop a future of cleaner and renewable energy, we met Kundai Vurayayi (5th year, Chemical and Environmental Engineering) and Abigail McEwen (2nd year, Geography).
“I think as an engineer we’ve got a lot of potential to make a real impact on the world,” Kundai told us and from the moment she started speaking it was clear she is intent on making an impact herself. Now in her fifth year, Kundai is fresh from a work placement where she gained an insight into how the chemical sector can become more sustainable. Alongside her studies she is now applying for jobs within the chemical industry or energy transition, with a focus on companies that are looking at more sustainable production or decarbonising their sectors.
“There are so many opportunities just with things like energy transfer. You’ve got hydrogen, biomass, nuclear, wind and solar,” explained Kundai. “Now we have more knowledge of the impact we have when we’re releasing things into the air and water or contaminating the land.
“We’re more aware of the harm it can do. I think there’s a lot of opportunity and responsibility to ensure that we are making the right choices and that we are impacting people positively rather than negatively. I’m excited to be part of the change to a more sustainable future.”
Although Kundai had an interest in sustainability before coming to university, her time at Nottingham has cemented that passion. Not only have university staff helped her to write CVs and job applications, but their own research has also been inspirational for her.
“It’s good to know the university is so focused on achieving net zero,” said Kundai. “A lot of the academics in our department are involved in this area, like my tutor who is looking into things like decarbonising the steel making industry. It’s interesting to hear their research.”
Although Kundai is only just starting her journey to make the world a more sustainable place, she already realises the importance of inspiring future generations. “I was involved with the inspiring women in engineering programme and part of that was to speak to nine and 10-year-old girls at school. We gave them a presentation on green cities and green buildings, as well as sustainability in day-to-day life. It’s good that even though we’re students we’ve also got a part to play in teaching the younger generation about a green future.”
Kundai’s love for learning also started at a young age and she was inspired by her mother. After being born in Northampton, Kundai lived with her grandparents in Zimbabwe until she was six-years-old. This allowed her mum, who was a single parent, to complete her Mental Health Nursing course back in England. When Kundai moved back to the UK she unfortunately missed her first year of school, but her mum dedicated the time to teach her to read and write at home – something that Kundai is incredibly thankful for.