Graduate engineer Ryan Magennis from LifeScan Scotland has signed up as the 100th Science and Engineering Ambassador through the STEM North of Scotland Partnership.

Ryan, 21, from Belfast, came to Inverness in June 2008 to start working in LifeScan's Operations Engineering Graduate Programme.

He joined the North's Science and Engineering Ambassadors Programme so that he could speak to young people about the importance of engineering to the world we live in, and the range of professional pathways open to them.

Ryan met with the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather during his tour of the new Centre for Health Science.

Describing his reasons for becoming an ambassador, Ryan said: "Engineering is everywhere around us, and working together, scientists and engineers can solve many of the problems facing our society.


"I want to share my enthusiasm and get as many young people as possible to think about a career in engineering, it's a great profession with so many options and opportunities."

Lorraine Dick, community relations adviser at LifeScan Scotland can see the benefits of encouraging staff to become science and engineering ambassadors: "As a company LifeScan Scotland depends on scientists and engineers to develop new research, new products and new ideas. We are delighted to support a scheme which encourages young people to study science and engineering, and to consider careers in these crucial areas."

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and the North of Scotland Partnership works to promote skills and knowledge in these areas. The group's aim is to ensure young people have a good grasp of the importance of STEM subjects to the world around them, in particular in energy, life sciences, finance and business and food and drink - all very important employment sectors in the Highlands and Islands.

HIE's STEM director Donna Chisholm said the partnership will recruit 400 ambassadors over the next twelve months to bring professionals into contact with young people to help increase their knowledge of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics practiced in the Highlands and Islands.

(GK/JM)