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Maria Thorpe first of hundreds of Goldman Sachs Scholars at NAGTY

Originally published 18 December 2003


Sandwell girl Maria Thorpe is to be the first Goldman Sachs Scholar at the University of Warwick’s National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.

The Goldman Sachs Foundation has given the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth US $375,000 (£235,900) to the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) at the University of Warwick to provide for the first year of a 3-year programme of entrepreneurship education for hundreds of gifted and talented young people. The award has been made as part of the Foundation's signature initiative in Developing High-Potential Youth.

Maria and the other students will be assigned mentors, (a combination of Goldman Sachs professionals and MBA students). Scholars would have access to a special web site and efficient online learning materials which will include multimedia presentations, virtual experiments, competitions, quizzes, and discussions which they will work through with their mentors. They will take part in a business plan competition, and also participate in entrepreneurship education provided by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Stephanie Bell-Rose, President of The Goldman Sachs Foundation, said, "Developing well-prepared leaders for tomorrow, such as Maria, is a driving goal of the Foundation. This grant to NAGTY will ensure that bright students from around the UK will have access to resources and enrichment opportunities that will prepare them for success in university and in their careers. We are pleased to be working with NAGTY to help develop leaders of the future."

The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth was established at the University of Warwick in Feb 2002. It is charged by the government with enhancing the educational experience of the top 5% of young people in England. More information can be found at http://www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted

Maria's telephone number is available to journalists on request.