Khalid Saleh and Sagal Qodah were entered into Millennium Point’s Young Innovator Prize by their principal, Mark Gregory. Now in its third year, the Young Innovator Prize encourages students to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses, and ensures that everyone has a chance to reach higher education, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

Up against five other students from across the UK, Khalid and Sagal are now in with a chance of winning a S.T.E.M. themed degree at Birmingham City University.

Despite both coming from Ark St Alban’s Academy, they have very different plans for their university lives. Khalid moved to the UK from Somalia aged 11 and hopes to study computer games technology, and Sagal, who has a keen interest in politics, would use the prize to fund a degree in civil engineering.

Mark Gregory, principal of Ark St Alban’s Academy, said: “Both students deserve their places in the Young Innovator Prize final. Their passion for their subjects and desire to progress to university is what makes them stand out.”

Neil Anderson, director of strategy and brand at Millennium Point, added: “Each year the process of shortlisting the finalists gets harder. With the prize being so significant, the level of entries is of an extremely high standard. However, both students have shown original ideas and fantastic attitudes, and when paired with their teachers’ testimonies, they were standout candidates. I wish them, and all the other finalists, the best of luck with their presentations.”