How the Alumni Scholarship is helping Sugi Reginold follow her dream in product design
For Sugi, the Alumni Scholarship has provided the freedom to explore her passion for design and focus on her studies without the stress of financial worry.
Starting university is an exciting but tough journey, especially when you come from a family where higher education is a new path. For Sugi, the Alumni Scholarship has made all the difference, allowing her to invest in the tools and equipment needed for her degree and focus on the coursework and extracurricular activities.
With a passion for both STEM and art, Sugi is now fully immersed in university life, pursuing her dream of becoming an industrial designer, while also exploring new opportunities and preparing for a future in both design and illustration.
What brought you to the university?
“Growing up in Mitcham, London, I shared a flat with my parents and my brother, in a small space where we made do with what we had. My father, an immigrant, worked in various jobs, from a laundry operator to working night shifts at Sainsbury's, while my mother, due to her health challenges, primarily cared for me and my brother. As the first in my family to attend university, neither of my parents had much understanding of the educational system, so I found myself taking on a lot of responsibilities, such as attending my brother’s school meetings and translating for my parents when necessary.
“My interest in STEM began early on, and I studied subjects like mathematics, computer science, and business at A levels, before enrolling in the Engineering Foundation course at Nottingham. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for product design and manufacture, combining both my love for art and strong talent in mathematics.”
Why Nottingham?
“The University of Nottingham was the best choice I could have made - being here makes me feel safe and at home. I quickly fell in love with the campus and the sense of community that the university provided. Once I graduate from Nottingham, I hope to find a job in central London to pursue my dream profession of being an industrial designer and working for a company, before gradually learning new skills to start my own business. Later in life, I would love to change careers and begin illustrating children's books.”
A student working on a design drawing on their tablet in our product design studio
How the scholarship has helped
“With the scholarship, I have been able to purchase more equipment for my degree. The basic needs of supplying my own food and paying rent have also been less stressful because I no longer need to rely on my parents for money. Instead, I am more able to manage my funding and think more carefully about my budgeting, which has put my mind at ease by not having to think twice about participating in new opportunities or travelling."
I hope that the scholarship will help me achieve a better future for myself by providing equal chances to make the most of my degree.
Sugi Reginold
Product Design and Manufacture with Industrial Year
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