The Tony Wing-King Bursary is named in honour of Syntegra Group MD Alan Wing-King’s late father who was born in South Africa and became a recognised building services engineer specialising in Complex Hospitals around the globe.

He was pivotal in the early years at Syntegra Group as it developed its credentials as a leading sustainability solutions provider but sadly he succumbed to cancer in 2018.

The bursary is arranged through the Born In Africa initiative which seeks to stimulate social and educational development in children living in poverty striving to create economically self-sustainable adults.

Born in Africa provides academic, social and life skill programmes to children who live in the townships in the Bitou area of South Africa.

Announcing plans for the bursary to be awarded from 2024, Alan said: “Five years after his untimely death, we loop full circle to continue my father’s legacy from where it all began for him growing up.

“I know this is a cause he was passionate about as he was always happy to pass on his knowledge to younger members of the team within our business and always sought to encourage those students outside to consider a career in engineering highlighting the opportunities engineering offers and with our own strong focus on sustainable solutions, this project seemed the ideal match for us.

“Financial poverty should not be a barrier to genuine interest and potential being developed. My father thrived on his international experiences but was always very proud of his roots.

“Anything we can do to foster growth in this critical and exciting area of learning is a privilege and I am confident worthy recipients will be identified and we look forward to charting their STEM journey and seeing what unfolds for them.”

The funds will enable a bursary to be awarded for selected overperforming students under the Born in Africa programme pursuing a career in STEM, so that they can nurture their dreams, thrive and become themselves a positive influence and drive of change to their families and communities.