Kingston University students to hone Future Skills development after being awarded Future Talent Council global fellowships
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Three final year Kingston University students will have the opportunity to put their Future Skills into practice, after being awarded places on the inaugural Future Talent Council Global Student Fellowship programme.
Joshua Le Roux, Abbie Finn and Amay Pandey join 28 other students from 14 universities across 10 countries on the programme, which is designed to help students build future-ready capabilities and expand their professional networks. They will take part in expert-led masterclasses, working in small international teams to develop briefs that they will present at the end of their fellowships.
The opportunity came about through their participation in the University’s Future Skills Apply module, which all third-year undergraduate students undertake as a core, assessed part of their degrees, alongside their subject specific learning.
Through the dedicated module, final year students from courses across the University can choose from a range of tailored activities to refine their development of nine graduate attributes – from creative problem solving to empathy and resilience – employers have said they most value. Students work with businesses and professional mentors to strengthen the skills they most want to focus on, as well as exploring potential career pathways.
“Taking part in Apply gave me the confidence to pursue the Future Talent Council Fellowship, along with many other experiences that have supported my growth and development,” said Abbie, who studies geography.
“I’m looking forward to learning from global leaders, collaborating with individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of education and work, as well as contributing to how we are able to prepare for a rapidly evolving world of work,” she added.
The opportunities provided through Apply are designed to ensure students can move quickly into graduate roles or further study, equipped with the human-centric skills, confidence and industry experience required to succeed in a rapidly evolving workplace – something that computer science student Amay has reflected on.
He said: “Apply has redefined how I perceive employer expectations – it’s given me newfound insights into what metrics I should focus on, as well as what skills are most desirable by employers for a successful career.”
International business student Joshua agreed.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting new people from around the world, showcasing my skills and developing new ones,” he said.
Ali Orr, the University’s Student Development and Graduate Success Director and a member of the Future Talent Council, said the award of the Fellowships was an example of the value and opportunities that the Apply module brings.
He said: “This six‑month international programme will provide our students with access to high-level leadership development, executive mentorship, and hands‑on experience with emerging technologies and global talent trends,” he said.
“As a member of the Future Talent Council, I’m proud to champion opportunities like this, which help our students build on the Future Skills they’ve been developing through our programme and contribute meaningful insight to an international community of employers and thought leaders.”
The launch of this inaugural cohort represented an important step in bringing student voices directly into global conversations about talent and the future of work, Daniel Kjellsson, Director-General of the Future Talent Council, said. “These students are not only future leaders, they are already shaping how organisations, institutions, and policymakers think about what comes next.”
Kingston University is the first higher education institution in the UK to fully embed Future Skills as a core, assessed part of every undergraduate degree programme, following the roll-out of the Apply phase this academic year.
