‘Cambridge said no but Dyson Institute pays as you learn’
A student who refused to let rejection from a top university get him down will now be paid to study at the newly formed Dyson Institute of Technology after picking up three A*s and an A.
Alex Pilkington, of Queen Elizabeth High School, in Carmarthen, was rejected by Cambridge University before he received his results, but was determined to fulfil his dreams of being an engineer.
He is going to study at the Dyson Institute of Technology, which was launched by inventor James Dyson’s multinational company last year and will offer 25 tech enthusiasts the opportunity to start an exciting career in engineering.
The institute, started by Mr Dyson himself in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, will be lucky to have Alex, who exceeded expectations in his A-levels.
“He was asked about the shortage of engineers and was challenged on what he could do to fill this gap,” said a delighted Alex. “So he decided to set up his own university.
“With everything becoming more and more integrated with technology, I think engineers will be more important than ever in the future. This degree offers me a great chance to study, work and earn at the same time. My goal will be to work within Dyson and hopefully work my way up the company. Ultimately I would love to work on something innovative that will make a difference to people’s lives. My dream is to walk into a shop one day and see something that I’ve helped create.”
Deputy head teacher Allan Carter said: “It’s a massive achievement.”