Andrew’s royal date
Praise from King of Spain
The future of a Hamilton student has been given a right royal boost.
For Andrew Sweeney won praise from the King of Spain after landing a top scholarship in Madrid.
The 29-year-old was selected for a prestigious Scottishpower Foundation programme, aimed at creating the next generation of energy experts.
And he was among a group of 11 British scholarship winners who gathered, at the headquarters of Scottishpower’s parent company Iberdrola in Madrid, for an awards ceremony.
It was there that he shook the hand of Felipe VI of Spain.
Andrew said: “Meeting the King of Spain was surreal. Standing in a room with the king and the chairman of Iberdrola – two of the most influential and powerful men in the country – was really quite inspirational.
“It has given me even more drive to ensure that I can aspire to the levels I want to reach in the industry, and that hopefully working for a company of Iberdrola’s scale allows me the platform to achieve these ambitions.”
Andrew is studying a masters degree in economics at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas in Madrid, after winning one of the coveted scholarships.
The Scottishpower Foundation, the charitable arm of the energy provider, is supporting British graduates by funding their enrolment fees and living allowances so that they can concentrate on pursuing careers in the fields of energy and the environment.
And Andrew formally received his award at a royal ceremony in Madrid. The scholars were presented with their awards by Iberdrola’s chairman, Ignacio Galan, and Ramón Castresana Sanchez, director of Iberdrola’s foundation committee, before they were received by King Felipe at a reception held in the Palacio de la Zarzuela.
Andrew added: “To meet the other scholars from around the world and talk about their studies and programmes really made me appreciate the global scale of Iberdrola and their commitment to the future of the industry.
“To be a scholar, for me, has been life-changing. Without the funding, I wouldn’t have been able to study at a prestigious school in Madrid in the area of my interest.”
Ann Mckechin, trustee and executive officer of the Scottishpower Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support this group of very bright young people who we hope will be future leaders in the energy sector, and the Scottishpower Foundation is committed to helping the advancement of their education through practical support.”
Felipe VI ascended to the throne in 2014 after the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I.
Meeting the King of Spain was surreal...quite inspirational Andrew Sweeney