The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Aedas have announced Kerry Watton as the 2012/13 beneficiary of the highly coveted RIBA Aedas Stephen Williams Scholarship. The scholarship will offer Kerry personal academic mentoring by Aedas Creative Director David Simister and a £5,000 grant towards her studies.
"To be selected as the recipient of the RIBA Aedas Stephen Williams Scholarship has been a huge encouragement," said Kerry Watton, who will shortly be entering the final year of her Part II studies at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art. "This support will allow me to complete my education without the major financial concerns that have limited my studies in the past and allow me to devote the time and energy required to realising my full potential.
This is the greatest opportunity I could be offered and I am extremely grateful to Aedas and the Williams family for allowing me the chance to grow professionally without the financial burdens experienced by many of my peers."
The judging panel consisted of David Simister (Aedas), Brian Johnson (Aedas European Chairman), Angela Brady (RIBA President), Zoha Chiheb (graduate member, RIBA Education Committee) alongside Nick Williams and Landyn Williams (representing the Williams family).
"The quality and volume of applicants the judging panel received for this scholarship illustrates clearly just how many students are continuing to experience unprecedented financial hardship," said Angela Brady, President of RIBA.
"It is vital that we build on the generosity and passion shown by our partners Aedas. The profession needs to step up to nurture and support those in financial need; we want a meritocratic future for architects where a diverse and highly skilled future generation can compete and shine on a global level. Now more than ever the RIBA's programme of education trust funds and awards needs support from those in the profession to achieve this goal."