University of Bedfordshire students and graduates are set to benefit from awards worth thousands of pounds, thanks to the generosity of a Luton entrepreneur.

Jan Telensky, chairman and chief executive of distance learning provider SkillsTrain, has joined forces with the university, donating £30,000 to help launch two new awards.

The Graduate Of The Year Award, worth £15,000, will be presented to the alumnus of the Department of Computer Science and Technology deemed to have made the most impact on business in five years. There will be a runners-up prize of £7,500.

The Student Advancement Reward, worth £5,000, will be presented to a current Computer Science and Technology student who has made the most progress during the year. A runners-up award of £2,500 will also be presented.

The awards will be judged by a panel made up of university staff.
University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon, CBE, said: "The university is thrilled to launch these awards and is delighted that through Mr Telensky's generosity our students and alumni will benefit."

Mr Telensky, who came to the UK from the former Czechoslovakia in 1969, said: "The university is a place which prepares people for the world of work and encourages business enterprise, which is so important for the future prosperity of this country".